- November 18, 2024
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While reading the letters written by Flagler County students in honor of Mother’s Day, there was a common theme: food. When children think of their mothers, it is not uncommon that they think of how they have provided for them.
Food always seems to take the lead. Yes, food is the glue. Especially when Mom is your favorite cook or your I-need-a-second-helping-even-though-I’m-full dish comes from her kitchen.
Some of my favorite memories of my mother were made in the kitchen, while I sat at the counter as a teenager doing homework, telling my mom about my day, as she cooked dinner. Or Mom teaching me how to make one of her specialty dishes.
Even as an adult, I wait for those phone calls asking me if I want to come over for dinner. Mom knows that even though I write a food column, anything she is making for dinner is probably 10 times better
than what I would randomly make for myself, (especially on deadline days, when food becomes more of a necessity to live, rather than something to enjoy).
I have tried to repay the favor by inviting my parents over for dinner, but it never really works out. Something always goes terribly wrong.
As I get older and while Mom’s (and Gramma’s) cooking is still infinitely better than the majority of local restaurants — I have learned that my mother has done so much more for me than just provide.
I was in Savannah, Georgia, last weekend and found this adorable kitchen store, Kitchens on the Square. (I wanted to buy everything!) Among the vast array of gadgets were a variety of hand towels with fun sayings, things like, “All I need today is a little coffee and a whole lot of Jesus” and “I love you to the fridge and back.” And the queen of them all: “OMG my mother was right about everything.”
While I’m not ready to throw in the towel just yet and admit that I’ve come to my senses and say my mother really was right, I do admit that she has been my rock in so many situations.
She teaches, encourages, inspires, calms and reassures.
So, just like the seventh-graders, I want to thank my mom. Thank you, Momma, for encouraging me to chase my dreams and reminding me that I am still great, even when I fail.
Thank you for pointing me toward a God-centered life and reminding me that His plan is bigger than mine. Thank you for showing me that women can do it all and teaching me how to be a strong, independent, hard-working woman who stands up for herself. Thank you for always being there when I need an ear to listen, a shoulder to cry on or advice on life.
Thanks for giving me a sense of humor and showing me that it’s important to be able to laugh, most of the time at yourself. And most of all, thanks for never giving up and leaving me at the ball fields when I was being a pain in the butt and I know you probably wanted to.
And, Happy Mother’s Day to all the rest of you mothers out there.
