On Mothers' Day

Everything About My Mom

1. What is your funniest memory of your Mom?

We lived in Washington DC when I was in elementary school and Mom took advantage of every weekend to take my sister and I to see new things our nation's capital. In those days, before GPS, we would often get lost en route to new monuments and museums. I recall one weekend adventure in particular, when we missed our exit off of the Beltway and drove headlong into Maryland. Mom quietly breathed out a four-letter word of frustration and, believing all was lost and that we'd never see our ol' Virginia again, my sister and I began to repeat that same four-letter word over and over again with increasing volume and fear. I laugh every time I think about sitting in the back of our Astro minivan swearing at the top of my lungs with mom frantically trying to get back on the Beltway and trying to get us to calm down.

2. What lesson your mom taught you stands out?

Mom always created rational consequences for my bad decisions. When I picked on someone at school, mom would "make" me have that kid over to the house to play so that I could learn to make friends with everyone. When I threw a neighbor's kickball in the lake, I had to either swim in and get it out or buy a new one before I could play with friends again. When I pushed my sister into a table and split open her forehead, she...wait I don't think she ever punished me for that. She was too busy rushing Liz to the hospital to think of how to punish me.

3. What is your favorite characteristic or personality trait about your Mom?

Mom is SO friendly and warm with others. You immediately like her because she takes such a personal interest in you and what you are doing. And she's dang funny. Mom and Dad came out to Austin for my birthday this year and helped us throw a big house party for work, church and neighborhood friends. She played wonderful pseudo-host and connected with so many of our Texas friends through her bubbly and funny personality.

4. What do you see in yourself that came from your mom, physically or in your personality?

I think I look a lot like Mom's side of the family and I hope that I'm as funny and personable as she is.

5. List as many things as possible that your mom has done for you.

There's no way to answer this one, but I will share a dream I had about my mom a while back that I won't ever forget. I was in front of a big crowd receiving some award (I know, what a conceited jerk! I have dreams about how cool I am!?) and as I gave my acceptance speech I said something that I think is very true: "Everything I am, I owe to my mother."

Happy Mothers' Day, Mom. I love you.