An Unsolicited Hug

I helped my 13 year old with some science this evening.  We laughed and talked.  He told me what classes he wants to take next year and why.  He talked about school and what he likes about it.  He talked about scouts and how close he is to advancing.  Then he left to get things ready for school in the morning.  10 minutes later he came in and put his arms around my shoulders from behind and hugged me, said I love you, and wished me goodnight.  I told him I loved him and how proud of him I was.  He went to bed.  I hope I get more of these moments during his teenage years.  Priceless.

Emerging

I have been holed up lately, stretching my brain to new limits.  The culprit is this book, one of three for my latest class.  I spent more hours studying for this class/final than my entire freshman year of college (no laughing those of you who may have been my roommate).  Okay maybe not, but its close.

Today I ventured online to see if my final had been graded and what the damage was.  I did just fine and my head fell into my hands and I cried.  Yup.  I did.  Thats how much stress this nice looking book has caused me for the past two months.  I am emerging from this place and have two weeks off to repair relationships with my loved ones,  clean my house, and clear my head until my next class starts.

Mom

Both of my parents have birthdays right around Christmas.  And this usually means that their birthdays get lumped into the mix or get celebrated early or late.  Today is my mom's birthday.  Happy Birthday Mom!

My mom is pretty cool.  I love to hear her talk about her life.  Its like any I've ever heard, full of  heartache and hope growing up.  At a young age she found herself caring for her mother who had MS, she had to drop out of college to support them.  She converted to the LDS faith I think at 19.  She met my dad when he was a missionary and moved to Utah to wait for him to return home.  She had 8 children and dedicated her life to us as we grew up.  She ran a wedding and catering business out of our home for many years during that time.  When we all grew up she went back to school and became a real estate agent, broker, opened her own company, and is amazingly successful in this horrible economy.  On top of this, she is spiritual, funny, energetic, and insightful.  She is a workaholic, and is driven more than anyone I know.  Sure, I wish there were times we could go to lunch or just hang out, but that drive to make her business grow is also one of my favorite things about her.

Sometimes I'm told that I am just like my mother. I take it as a compliment.  I can't think of anyone else that I would rather be like. This is one of my favorite pictures of her taken about 6 years ago.  I think it captures her spirit.