I was once young and lacked the wisdom I hold now. I once was mortified at the thought of becoming my mother. But, I recently stopped at her house one Saturday morning to find her with a cup of coffee in hand, cookbook on her lap and a talk show on the tube (She was also wearing a fleece and wrapped in a blanket...this was June- that I have not inherited from her!!)It was in this moment I realized how much I was becoming her. And in my old age and as I grow in wisdom...I am so proud to follow in her steps- the beautiful, intelligent, strong woman she is :)
A list for your enjoyment:
1. Have you seen the faces I make? In my very expressive (and fast- that's not from my mom..) speaking I make her faces (and her mother made those same faces, precious)
2. Shoes at the door, not in the closets where they belong...DRIVEs ME NUTS. I used to wonder why she always freaked about us putting our shoes away. Now I promptly walk straight to the closet. I am becoming her.
3. I always bring a sweater. When I lived in Detroit I taught this lesson to many and proudly stated how Nancy always brings a sweater (and usually wears it next to my all-seasons shorts clad father)
4. The Heupel sweet tooth. We all have it. In my recent baking endeavors it has become glaringly obvious that this trait has been lovingly passed to me...and my hips.
5. The teacher voice. When we were both teaching during Vacation Bible School at church a friend walked by the room and thought it was me teaching when it in fact was my veteran teacher mother. Grateful for this one too.
6. Entertaining. Since living in Sioux Falls I have humbly tried to be the hostest with the mostest and use the cute plates and dishes that we so unneccesarily collect in the backs of the cupboards. Though, welcoming and providing for people in my home is something I see modeled from her all the time!!!
7. Cookbooks, oh the cookbooks. I used to make so much fun of her growing shelf and cupboards full of cookbooks. Now it's guarenteed at least once a year I find a cookbook as a gift- usually from her that I 'read' cover to cover (see #4...)
8. My mom has taught forever- at least as a kid that's how it seems. And, as retirement inches nearer and nearer (and her victory dance gets rehearsed) I see her gift with children and am blessed beyond words to share that passion with her as we now work side by side with 'my kids' (even if they make her crazy ;)
9. I don't like to admit this one....but recently my whole family left Sioux Falls. I've never been in Sioux Falls by myself- and when I hugged my dad goodbye as he was leaving for Canada to fish with the boys I silently screamed through his window...'call me when you get there'. Then chuckled to myself as I remembered how I didn't understand this requirement until I was the 'mom' waving goodbye. Whoa..reality hits!
I could continue ...probably forever as daily I laugh to myself at how funny life is and how honored I am to become my mother. She's my biggest fan and one of the most incredible people i know.
Love you Ma!!
