The only thing my mom ever wants for Mother's Day is to go to Philippe's in LA as a family for lunch. I can only think of one Mother's Day in my memory that we missed it (and that was last year). We've gone with just our family, we've gone when grandparents were in town, and we've brought along other close friends. But Sunday afternoon on Mother's Day is meant to be spent in LA.
However, it's currently Mother's Day afternoon, and my mom is sick in bed. Which means Mother's Day is staying in the 714 area code. And her youngest daughter is over 7000 miles away. It's a weird Mother's Day. We'll be celebrating another day..
On my way home this afternoon, I started thinking about my mom. And the thing that kept coming to my mind were peas. I am an extremely picky eater, and one of the things that I will not eat are peas. I remember eating chicken, mashed potatoes, and peas when I was younger, and trying to hide the peas behind my drumstick, hoping my mom would think that I already ate them (because if I didn't eat them, they would be my dessert and then breakfast and then lunch until I finally did). Everyone always tells kids that "you'll like ____ when you're older".. But not me. I still hate peas (among most other things that I hated to eat when I was younger).
There is this really good pasta salad that my entire family loves. There's nothing really special about it - it's just your basic boxed pasta with seasoning. There are also little bacon bits, carrot strings... And peas. Ugh, the peas. Whenever I decide to make the pasta on my own, I know that I've got to set up the kitchen with multiple bowls to sort out the peas from the pasta in the time it takes to boil the water. I know that when I make the pasta, it takes some extra commitment. The other night, there was a HUGE thing of the pasta in the refrigerator. I was so excited, and then I mentally prepared to eat the pasta while digging around the peas. But I opened up the tupperware.. And there wasn't a pea in sight. My mom had removed all of the peas for me.
I know it's silly, but I may have teared up. I rarely sleep at home (#housesitterproblems) and I eat at home even less frequently. But, on the off chance that I happened to open the fridge on one of the nights that I was home before the pasta had been consumed by other family members.. My mom removed all of the peas. For me. Everyone else is fine with the peas, but I'm the picky one, and my mom removed them for me.
From being on PTAs and PTOs, to helping run a non-profit childhood cancer organization, to running the nursery for years at church, to being the best band booster President someone could ask for, to helping parents handle life with a child with cancer, to organizing grad nights, to teaching people to play instruments, to helping behind the scenes at church, to planning weddings, to sewing costumes and flags, to being an ear to kids that don't get an ear at home, to caring as a teacher in ways that students don't expect.. To being a mom that has supported her children in sickness and in health, while thriving and struggling, through tears and laughter, through teenage (and twenty-something) mood swings.. She's a woman that hates to say no to helping people and doing things.
In the last year I've seen her sacrifice more of herself because of how much she loves her family. In the last year I've seen her trust God in new ways. In the last year I've seen her love people that were difficult to love. In the last year I've seen her take on new challenges. In the last year I've gained a new appreciation for all that my mom is.
I love you lots, Mom. You're the best!
P.S. I'm sorry I punched you on your birthday that one year. But this will always be one of my favorite pictures.
