We’re Cooking up a special menu to honor our moms and inspire you to pamper her on May 10th

Oh, My Mother-in-law!

My mother-in-law waited ten years for the baby she had always dreamed of and expected to have.

From the time her son was born, the love and affection she showed him would have been enough for an army of children. He was everything to her. She cared for him, fought battles for him and despite rumors that “only children” grow up to be pretty spoiled, she managed to give him great guidance, a sense of caring and a love for others that carried him through life with strong values.

Even though there are lots of horror stories and mother-in-law jokes, I can tell you, I have always felt so lucky to have had the perfect mother-in-law. She loved her son unconditionally, and although you might find a mother with such a deep love, unwilling to welcomed anyone into their circle, she always said, “If my son loves her, I love her.” Melts my heart to remember how much she loved our family as it grew.

She was a special mother in so many ways. Growing up, Mike loved animals. He wanted a German Shepherd and always dreamt of having a horse. As it became

possible, they moved to a place where they could have both and of course it all became another job for mom. Mike got to do the fun part like playing with the dog and riding

the horse, but mom did the hard part; caring for them all. She would always say, “It’s okay, honey, as long as you enjoy them!” drawing out the words in her Alabama accent that never diminished one bit even though she lived in Ohio many more years than she lived in the South.

Mike loved being with his friends and they all played baseball. Practices, games and tournaments, his mom never missed being there to watch and it was taken for granted that anyone who needed a ride could be chauffeured by Mike’s mom. She always took as many kids as could be packed in the car; those were the days of no seat belts and the kids didn’t care if some had to sit on another friend’s lap. Mom was always there no matter what the boys needed or wanted to do.

Having friends over to spend the night usually started out as an overnight stay event but would more often turn into a weekend retreat because none of the kids ever wanted to go home. Why would they when mom did everything and was such a great cook?

I remember her stories about punishments at their house. The very few times Mike did something that didn’t please her, she really did make an attempt to punish him. However, she always ended up feeling so guilty about a few harsh words that she would apologize and ask him if he could ever forgive her.

So much for the “Time Out” chair. When it came to practicing his music, she let him count his bathroom breaks in his required practice time! She was always there to provide a soft landing for every situation.

As Mike and I started our family, his mom and grandmother couldn’t wait for a baby in the family and to see our first born.

One day after our son’s birth, she shared she couldn’t imagine loving anyone like she had loved her own son, but she guessed she must have enough love to go around because her grandson brought such a thrill it was like having Mike all over again. Bless her heart, the second grandson was certainly not left out. She really did have enough love for everyone.

Loving, caring, nurturing, sharing, teaching, guiding, supporting…that’s what mom’s do.

I will always think of her fondly and wonder how one soul could have so much love to give away. Missing her every day and especially on Mother’s Day.

I hope you all have a wonderful day on Sunday. Pull out the picture box and take a trip back into your memories of Mom….and share them! Share them all so that a young generation can know that it is through our memories that we truly live on!