thirteen reasons I love my mom

While this list doesn't nearly cover all of the reasons I love her, I thought it fitting to honor Mom with a short recap of why I am so grateful to be her daughter.

1. She's coming to visit me... from far, far away - like 3-plane-connections-and-hours-of-flights-&-transfers far away - this week!


2. She is gorgeous - a true natural beautiful, and the vanity in me hopes I got some of those genes. :)


3. She's part of the "right-wing conspiracy," so to speak. I love her for it, even when she thinks I'm falling off the "left coast" of America. She has intelligence and opinions, and she's not afraid to share them.


4. She exercises her faith. I love how she continues to grow spiritually. She loves a loving God, serves him and his people, and walks with a practical attitude and humble heart. Her faith makes a difference now and for eternity.


5. She is a hard worker. She owns her own business (a ballet school). She has done all of the teaching, choreography, direction, production, costuming, travel, marketing, and everything else that goes into its success for 30 years. I admire all of the time and energy she's put into training and working to be a serious pro in her field, and a pioneer in a little old Midwest town, USA.


6. She is a really hard worker. She works a second job as a Realtor, and has achieved amazing success with lots of advanced training in that field.


7. She can make anything, and it will be delicious.


8. She can clean and decorate anything, and it will be beautiful.


9. She can shop the socks off anyone. The woman knows how to conquer a mall, and make it fun.


10. She is amazingly creative, generous, and loves children. The combination is magical.


11. She is physically fit and incredibly self-disciplined... Triathlons. Skiing. Dancing. If she hasn't done it, she'll probably try it. My mother does not stop moving.


12. She has high expectations for her children. I don't think anyone believes in me more, is willing to sacrifice to help me achieve, and knows her child's true potential. There is a special blessing in having somebody believe in you... just ask me or my brothers.


13. She loves her grandchildren, and is the dearest "Nani" they could ever want.