As a child growing up in Mount Pleasant SC life was different in many ways but similar in many others. I felt safe, protected, but most of all loved. Even in a family of six children with only nine years between them, I felt that I was special and unique. Even in a family with more days in the week than money in the bank, I never felt that I lacked anything or that we were poor.
My Mom married at 17 and had me 10 months later. I didn't know until I was much older that not everyone was so close in age with their mother. I think that it made our lives together difficult at times since she was an only child and I was the first and was likely somewhat of a test case in what would become a long line of children who needed her. She rose to the challenge and was successful in her daily challenges that included working a full time job. We watched June Cleaver who was a stay at home mom but knew that not all homes were like that. We were blessed to have a very special grandmother who filled in the gaps and most often made our lives better.
In spite of there being more demands on her time than the time that she had, she never missed a recital, a sporting event, or anything else that the six of us chose to become involved in. She ecouraged us to achieve academically even though she had not had the opportunity to do so. She sent me to piano lessons that she couldn't afford, made uniforms for the entire pom-pom line at Moultrie High School for three years, and even made the bridesmaids dresses and the wedding cake for my wedding. She made the wedding cake for one of my daughters even though she could barely walk and was on oxygen.
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My Mom was amazing but I know that thankfully, she was replicated many times by the good Lord and placed in the homes of others to give even though there is no more to give. I consider myself blessed and hope that my daughters feel that I have been a blessing to them too.