Today is my mom's birthday. (circumlocution moment -
see post below - : I wanted to post this earlier, but I wanted to include this picture, which my parents had taken recently. I am still scanner challenged, and finally asked Ray for help. He came immediately and was done in moments. I should have asked him 12 hours ago).
Back to the honoree. My mom is great! She is outgoing, and can be as charming as all get out. She has an engaging laugh. There is almost nothing she can't do. Randomly I can think of several things she taught me that I am thankful for:
1. High morals. Long story short, once in 7th or 8th grade I lied to my mom. She found out, and grounded me for lying (not for the thing I was lying to get out of). Six weeks. Six long, not one moment shortened weeks I was grounded. This also taught me the importance of consistency. I never lied to my mother again.
2. A love of books and reading (directing me to some of my still favorite books). I remember her suggesting I read Little Women. I know I've read it at least 50 times - probably more. I love that book. I also remember when she suggested the book To Catch a Spy by Amelia Elizabeth Walden, saying that I might like some of her other books as well. Like them?!? I couldn't get enough of them, and read all of Walden's books, many times over. There were lots more good books she suggested (Jubilee Trail by Gwen Bristow, Time Out of Mind by Rachel Field - I'll stop!)
3. How to sew. My mom made most of my clothes growing up until she taught me to do it myself. Through high school and college I made almost all my clothes. She is an excellent, meticulous seamstress. She made my wedding dress (and both my sisters' wedding dresses too). I encouraged her to take up quilting about 10 years ago, and she has far surpassed me in quality and quantity of quilts made.
4. You can't be too friendly. Although this is a trait of my mother's that I don't think I have truly acquired, I have seen many instances where she has proven it in her life. One brief incident where I first realized how friendly my mom is: I took one of my children to the doctor. I had been going to that doctor for several years before my parents moved to Kirkland and began going to that same doctor. I did not know any of the names of the receptionists or MA's. (Shame on me). As I was checking in the receptionist noted my child's middle name, which is my maiden name. She said, "Are you any relation to Ann Orris?" I said, "She's my mom." The receptionist went on and on about my mom. I mentioned it later to my mom, and my mom said, "Was is Alice or Mary?" (the names have been changed to protect my lack of knowledge). Of course I had no clue. "Describe her." Couldn't really remember what she looked like. My poor mom. It turns out she exchanges Christmas cards with one of them. She doesn't just know people's names, she knows all about them.
5. How to be generous. My mom has made quilts for the hospital, prom dresses for my girls and their friends, taught my girls to sew, made humanitarian bandages, she donates her time weekly at her church library as well as during their church services, volunteered for the PTA, swim team board of directors - the list goes on and on.
I could go on forever. Thanks mom for all the time and love you have given me. Countless hours of moral and physical support. I could not be the person I am today without you and your great influence!
Happy Birthday!
I loved The Eight by Katherine Neville, and was looking forward to a great read with this one. I was caught up in the book immediately. Parts of it were very compelling, but unfortunately not all of it was. I got bogged down in some of the parts, and skimmed to get to the next good part. 
