Things I learned from my Mother.

In honor of Mother's Day: My mom is one of the most amazing women I have ever met. Of course, I am a little biased because she is my mom, but she is a beautiful person, inside and out. She's been through quite a bit in 51 years. I am so glad she's happy with a great guy who's so good to her. He's definitely mellowed her out a lot! LOL! Anyway, I was thinking about this and I realized at 26, that this woman has taught me so much. I can't wait to learn more from her.
She taught me to clean. I know it's stupid, but every day we had chores, and I always had to dust. Now, I hate dusting, and she'd always redo it the next day, but I learned to have a halfway decent, clean house. Granted, my house will NEVER be as spotless as hers.  I don't think anyone could top her house except for her mom. LOL!
She taught me to stick up for myself. Yes, it has taken me years to  be more assertive, but I have finally gotten my crap together.
She taught me to love myself. She told me at a very young age that I was beautiful no matter what. Don't have sex until you're ready. Don't let anyone tell you you're not good enough. And, I love her for that.
She taught me to respect people's privacy. My mother never read my diary or went through our desks. I hate to say it, but I would leave my diary out sometimes just to see if she would, and she never touched it.
She taught me respect. I give everyone respect if they respect me. She taught to be a decent human being.
She taught me to be with a man who loves me for me. She taught me that it's ok to be alone and don't settle just because you're desperate. Even though, at times it was so tough.
She taught me to respect myself. I am a strong woman because of her.
She taught me to independent. I moved out at 22 and I never looked back. I am so proud of myself for living on my own and making it in the world.
She taught me to be positive and happy. My mom is a very optimistic person and sometimes I think it's cheesy, but she makes good points.  
I can tell her anything. She doesn't get mad, she doesn't get offended. She just listens. She gives me advice when I want it. She always seems to know when I'm hurting though. I'm so glad that she is my mom. She's wonderful and was definitely made to be a mother. And, even at 26, I still feel like I need her around. She's always just a phone call away.
She taught me to love with all my heart, even when it hurts. She taught me to walk away when needed even if it's insanely hard to do. She taught me to be brave.
She taught me great music! She always has her music jamming so loud in her car. You can tell what kind of mood she's in with the music she's listening to. :) I love that! She has fantastic taste in music, but I don't think she ever left the 70s. LOL! Where do you think my obsession with Queen came from? HAHA. We would dance in the living room every evening and it was so fun!
I never listened to her until now. I realize she was right all along. We had such a tumultuous relationship when I was growing up. I was such a moody teenager and I thought she knew nothing.
Thank you, Mom for loving me and being you. Thank you for letting me cry to you (even if it's silly) and vent to you and tell you everything where you don't get a word in edgewise. You are a best friend and I am so grateful that you are my mom. You mean the world to me and I would not be type of person I am if it wasn't for you.