Susanne Barton
Although I honestly do not believe there are enough kind words to speak of my mother, I’ll try my best. I know many of the entries will mention having the “best mother in the world” -but what does that really mean? I think it entails so much more than anyone can fathom. My sister, Julie, and I have been so blessed to have two fantastic parents. Our family is strong, devoted, faithful, and caring of one another…and, I believe my mom is the glue that holds it all together. She’s the epitome of what every woman should strive to become – loving, reliable, trustworthy, honest, open, ambitious, intelligent – the list could go on forever. She’s always been there for me and I’ll write this essay from 3 perspectives in my life:
As a little girl: My mom is the best! She comes to all my pee-wee drill-team practices and games. She is always there when I need her and takes my sister and I to the playground and helps me with my homework. She helps me learn to read and is always really happy for me when I make good grades. She stays home during the day to take care of me and my sister but works a full time job at night so we can have new clothes and take trips. I have a really good life and I’m very lucky.
As a teenager: My mother and I definitely have our disagreements but it bothers me to know that she is pretty much always right. She just wants me to be a strong, potent woman and to be the best I can be. She sets a good example by working hard and enjoying life. She likes her job, she loves my dad, and she plans great FFA’s (Fun Family Activities). She understands me and the turmoil that I go through but she doesn’t get too involved with my drama. She lets me know often how proud she is of me and my sister.
As a young adult: I don’t think any of us truly knows how fortunate we are in life. Each week when I sit in church, I realize over and over again how lucky I am to be a part of my family. My mother, in particular, is great at giving advice, sharing in joys and tribulations, and listening to my concerns. When my engagement ended last year, she was the only person who truly understood my pain. I remember one day, she sat there, held me, and cried with me- and I remember feeling like she was going through as much pain as I was at the time. Her heart feels as much, if not more than, what her daughters feel. That is an unconditional which provides an overwhelming comfort to me.
As I mentioned before, my mother is the glue that holds our family together. She is involved in each of our lives in an intimate and caring way. My sister and I have had a great well-rounded role model in our mother. We adore her – and our mutual love for one another is without limit. At the beginning, I asked the question “What does it truly mean to have the best mom in the world”? It could mean many different things to many people. The difference with my mother is that she is a combination of so many positive attributes and events in my life – I believe, with a doubt, that I do have the Ultimate Texas Mother.
