Grateful for Mom

My mom was just here for a visit. She can fold a fitted sheet better than anyone I know. In fact, I’d bet she could kick Martha Stewart’s butt in an official fitted sheet folding contest. She doesn’t simple roll it up into some kind of ball type thing and throw it into the closet…no…she folds the sheet with 90 degree corners and straight lines and no evidence of a wrinkle. And she does it with ease. Now, she has tried to teach me the art of folding a fitted sheet over the years with the first lesson at the age of 12. But still at 37, I have not come even close to mastering the technique. My mom is amazing. She can do these things that I cannot and I imagine I won't ever be able to do.

The thing I’ve learned about me and my mom that 's probably not so unique is that I idolize some of the things she does yet no one on earth seems to be able to find my buttons faster.  "No mom...really, you don't need to reorganize the pots and pans cabinet.  Ahh...do you think we could save the chocolate cookies for the kids until after lunch?   Its Asian...not Oriental.  Mom... you're mumbling again.  No, I DO eat salad now...you must be thinking of me when I was 10.  Well, we haven't fully decided on a the vasectomy route yet but...why are we discussing this?"  (And YES...these have been exhaggerated to make a point...MY MOM IS A SAINT and happens to read this blog)

As I was saying...a relationship between a mother and daughter is a special complicated thing. In the same minute a mother makes you feel like you are incapable of doing anything right she makes you feel like you can conquer the world. It’s a delicate balance of idolization and complete annoyance. However, the fact remains my mother is my mirror and I hope I grow up to be like her. My kids would be lucky if I’m half the woman she is. And for that…I feel grateful. I also feel grateful my mom is there to try to teach me (among other things) how to fold that damn fitted sheet. 


But unfortunately not everyone has a mother that they can hold onto or be guided by. But I know from stories of the kids at the Youth Homes…everyone craves it. I’ve learned Hannah has had a rough road with placements. She is at the group home today because her last placement didn’t work out. And even though this placement didn’t work out…Hannah still has emotions about the last “mom” in her life.

Jessica, her primary staff at the Susan Talbot Girls Home writes:

Hannah has been continuing her transition into Talbot over the past week. The last of her belongings were dropped off, and she had a teary encounter with her last foster mother. Although this was an unhealthy placement, it’s the last “family” Hannah had in a string of many failed placements.


On a positive note, Hannah seems to be starting to accept that there is a family out there that will be a better fit for her. The hope is that she will find the strength to start working on her treatment in order to start towards this possibility. Unfortunately, Hannah has proven to be very distracted from her treatment. School is her social center and the boy talk has begun. Oh how easy it is to get distracted from our bigger goals.


As far as Hannah’s cardios go, she has become consistent on earning them on our elliptical machine. She still dreads having to do them, and usually needs a lot of encouragement to start. We mentioned running outside with her once the weather gets warmer, and she agreed to this plan. After seeing her on the treadmill, a change in “training/workouts” might be the key! With a positive attitude maybe she’ll be willing to try many options, and with more and more encouragement be able to stick to it in order be ready to run a full mile by this summer.


One step at a time…