All The Momma's In The House!

Just wanted to say a quick Happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there and all the moms that have been there for me when my own mom couldn't be. I am truly grateful for everything that you guys have done for me.

I was 16 years old when my mom died, but I was six years old when I lost her. She was diagnosed with a terminal illness when I was four years old and, at that time, we lived in Glendale, AZ. My mom used to take me on walks around the neighborhood, she would drive me around on her scooter, she would bake me cookies and birthday cakes, she was the best mom I could have ever asked for. All of the memories I have in Glendale are happy and untainted by hospitals and doctors. When I was six years old however, we moved to Youngtown where I live now. After the move, my mom's health declined pretty rapidly. She couldn't drive her scooter anymore, in fact she couldn't drive at all, we didn't get to go on walks anymore, she didn't bake, we didn't do any of our usual things. Since then the majority of my memories are of hospital visits, doctors' offices, rehab centers, and hospices. She first went on hospice when I was about eight or nine years old. I was grieving the loss of my mom for ten years before she passed. I do have a lot of happy memories of her after I was six, but it was never the same. She was never the same mom that she was before we moved.

My mom is the reason that I love music so much. She's the reason that I worked so hard to get to college. She's the reason that I love art. She made me the person that I am today, more than anyone ever could. When I had nightmares every night when I was little she did everything she could to make them stop. She taught me how to cook. She taught me to love everyone no matter what and to always forgive others. She taught me patience. She did everything she possibly could to make my childhood happy. She did everything she possibly could to stay with me as long as possible. Above all, she was and is my best friend. I love and miss her beyond any words.

When my family moved to Youngtown, I made a friend across the street. At the time, she was basically my only friend and we were always together. We had sleepovers all the time, she would come over to my house to swim, I would go over to her house to play on their jungle gym, we played school, I went to bible camp at her church, we did everything together. Her mom would do SO much for me. She would paint my nails for holidays, she'd straighten my hair for me, she would braid my hair for me most nights because my hair would get so tangled, she babysat me when my mom had to go the hospital or when she had a doctor's appointment, she played such a big role in my life for so long. She just did everything for me and I am forever grateful for it all.

Growing up, my sister had a huge role in my life. We fought a lot when we lived together at our house in Glendale and we really just didn't get along at all. Fortunately, after she moved out when her husband was stationed in Oklahoma and as we both grew up and matured a bit more we grew closer and closer. When I'm upset or I'm sick or I just need someone to talk to, my sister is always the one my dad would call to cheer me up. She kind of took over my mom's role in my life in that sense. She's always there to comfort me when I need it and she does as much for me that my mom would've done as she can. She was even going to drive all the way to Flagstaff from Colorado to help me move into my dorm because my mom couldn't be there. Sadly, she couldn't because she was pregnant and move-in day was too close to her due date, but it's the thought that counts, right? She is just so amazing and I love her so so much. She's honestly basically my mom at this point. I mean, she never tries to parent me, which I would hate if she did because she's my sister, but she is pretty much my mom in every other sense of the word. I just can't even name everything she's done for me over the years.

When I was in sixth grade I met my best friend Jessica. Her and her mom have made many appearances in my blog posts and they have played a MAJOR role in my life over the years. Jessica's mom, Jodi, has been like a second mom to me since day one. She took me school shopping, she made me dinner, she gave me rides when I needed them, she took me on vacations, she's done everything for me and I am beyond grateful for all of it.

She did everything for me that my mom couldn't do and so much more. She never had to do any of these things, but she did them anyway with a smile on her face. She made me feel like a part of her family. Jodi was even there for me the day my mom died. She took care of me when my dad was in the hospital, she called my work when my mom died to ask about me getting some time off, she spent time with me on Mother's Day when I couldn't spend it with my mom. She has supported me through everything, and I mean everything. There is no possible way I could have ever gotten through the last four years without her. In fact, there's no way I would've been able to get through anything without her. She's my Mishpocheh, which is a Yiddish word for extended family. I just love her so much and I am so glad that Jodi has been in my life all of this time.

A little while after my mom passed away, my dad got re-married. I really don't know my step-mom very well, I've only actually met her about three or four times, but she makes my dad happy and I'm super grateful for that. I really hope to get to know her more in the future! My step-sister is also such an amazing mom and she has always been so welcoming to me every time I've seen her.

The main idea for this post was to say a big and extra special thank you to all of my 'moms' that have played a major role in my life and in my growing up and etc. There are a lot of other moms in my life, whom I love a lot. Some of these include:

- My sister Alethea who is an amazing mom and has done so much for me over the years that I am really grateful for

- My friend's mom, Jen, who is always willing to talk when I need her and is always so welcoming

- My Aunt Diane/Momo who let me stay at her house over the summers when I was younger and who is always messaging me just to check up on me and see how I'm doing

- My Grandma Ginger who isn't my biological grandma but has always loved me like she was and always invites me over for Thanksgiving dinners and loves me no matter what

- Devyn's mom and Aunts who are always so kind and welcoming when I see/talk to them

- My 'Aunt' Candy who was my mom's best friend and has always made me feel loved and made me some amazing quilts, one of which was specifically made for me to remember my mom and I use that one so much that the colors are starting to fade

- My 'Aunt' Cheryl who was also one of my mom's best friends who always sends my family a special surprise at Christmas and also took care of me a summer or two when I was little

There are so many other amazing moms in my life out there and if I sat here naming all of them I wouldn't ever stop. Thank you so much for everything that you do for me and your families. I love you all so so much and I hope every mom out there has an amazing Mother's Day!