Happy Mother's Day to Mommy! I know, we still call her Mommy. What can I say, I am one of five children. Our brother is the oldest and then the rest are girls - us four. With the weekend upon us, I wanted to take a moment to add a shoutout to my mom who is the best!

My mother is a Carolina native and has a lot of Southern charm naturally. She is very selfless in that she is interested in others. This was a trait to see in my mother growing up. I learned how she would always put her family first. She was the quintessential mom, though she was a teacher with a teaching degree from UNC, she and my father agreed upon us having our mother at home with us. What a treat and privilege! Especially now days, some children will never know that. Of course, there are a lot of wonderful options now days and things are different. Right now, I am honoring my mother and the choices she made for our family.

My mother is a gourmet cook. Her mother was a 'registered dietician' here in North Carolina. I think that was in the day before they were called 'Nutritionist.' She enjoyed cooking wonderful meals for our family of seven. China was common place for us to be served upon. Candles were always in vogue at our family table. Today I carry on as many of the traditions she gave us as I can in our busy days.

My mother is also an excellent musician. She plays piano, organ, clairnet and violin beautifully. She has been involved in the Orchestra and Symphony for many years. Also, she serves on the Boards for these and other Community chairs that need her assistance. She truly passed along this love of music to all five of her children. She and my Daddy also made it a priority for all of us to receive private piano lessons and an instrument of our choice. This is invaluable. Of course, there were the myriad of sports lessons that came later on either by group sport of private lesson.

My mother is a Christian lady who has served in our local protestant church since I can remember. She served as PTA President, VBS Director, etc. It was wonderful to be raised with a solid foundation and beliefs that both of my parents shared and passed on to us.

You can probably tell, this list can go on. The thought I will leave with you is the time she spent with us. She slowed down, she was actually in the home with us and being available to us whether teaching me to make brownies or sew a pillow.

If there is anything I strive for and would pass along is the idea of time well spent with our children. Not the sitter, the school, the sports coach, the babysitter, the gameboy, etc. Our children and their parents. Thanks for joining me and celebrating my Mommy this Mother's Day 2008.

Let me know about your mother and how you honor her.

Warmly,
Carlina Mama