May she who gave you birth be happy. Proverbs 23:25, NLT

She is mischievous, funny, beautiful and brave. She was the mom that drove us around the McDonald’s parking lot Friday nights on the chance that we might catch a glimpse of that certain cute guy.  And, she is the Nana who used binoculars to spot cute guys for my daughter from the balcony of our condo in Florida just a few years ago.

I can’t remember a time that she didn’t believe that things would get better. “Carmen, with a good night’s sleep, you can handle most anything.”

She introduced me to makeup, shaped brows and lots of different hair dos. “It takes pains to be beautiful”, she would say. Thank goodness the pain became so much less when she went to beauty school. She became one of the best hairdressers around.  Retirement came and she put up most of her hair tools but you can still find her snipping hairs for her great grands.

Mom sat on creek banks, baited hooks and removed fish. She wore hot pants, took us on vacation (even if it was just over night to Vicksburg) and worked hard to make sure her children had everything we needed. My sweet Papaw Daniel called her “Cookie” and so does everyone else.

Flashy purses, painted toenails, amazing cornbread dressing and some of the best chicken and dumplings around are apart of her credits. She loves music and before deafness took much of her hearing, she loved to sing.  Watching her in the group, “Gospel Express” was fun for us all, especially Papaw D. She and I  have dressed up, acted in skits and sang duets (Sonny and Cher never performed “I’ve Got You Babe” like us.)

She is godly and compassionate. Her prayers continue to make a difference in all of our lives.

Mom has shown me that no matter how often life knocks you down you just get up, dust yourself off and start again. She battles deafness with finesses. It never holds her back. Her joy for life is contagious.

Meet my mom, my hero. Happy Mother’s Day!

Linking with Kate Motaung’s Five Minute Friday – Meet