Today is Mother's Day and my dad's birthday and it seems fitting that their "special days" overlap because really, when I think back on my childhood, I remember my parents quietly working together to keep our family unit going.
My dad worked multiple jobs: teaching, managing pools, coaching basketball and football, over seeing summer and night school. I didn't realize until years later that somewhere in all of that he had completed his master's degree, too! My mother worked as well, but I remember her more for her role at home: driving us to and from a zillion practices, packing snacks and lunches, making sure our uniforms were clean and we had cleats, toe shoes, and all the gear we needed. She was the mom who always brought treats to school on our birthday and hand sewed our halloween costumes. My parents spent their summers sitting in 100 degree weather at softball games and track meets. They spent their winters in gyms and watching recitals, plays, and musicals. When Brett was in college they drove three hours to every home KU game, and back the same night so they could be at work on time and I could be at school in the morning.
My parents did not spend a lot of time lecturing to us on the ways of the world, but I'm quite certain now that was no accident. This is not to say they were perfect, but nonetheless very deliberate in leading by example. I watched my mother cheerfully greet and thank every store clerk and restaurant worker she encountered and I learned that everyone deserves to be treated with kindness and dignity. I watched my dad's interactions with his students and I learned that when it comes to teaching, personal connections are more important than fancy lesson plans. I witnessed the challenges, the ups and downs and knew that when times get tough you dig a little deeper and stand by the ones you love. I saw them sitting in the stands, the audience, on the sideline of every event with encouraging smiles (even when I struck out, or sang off key, or forgot my lines) and learned that the greatest gift I can give my children is unconditional love.
One of my favorite quotes is, "We are the windows through which our children first see the world. Let us be conscious of the view. "
I am so, so grateful for the view.
Happy Birthday & Happy Mother's Day Dad & Mom!
