Words From My Mother

My mother taught me pretty much everything I know, and not a day goes by that I don't hear things in my head that she said to me when I was growing up. She is a strong, funny, smart and beautiful woman, and as I get older, I appreciate her more and more, and I'm increasingly grateful for, and in awe of how much she put up with me.

Some classic gems that I remember her saying during my childhood were,

"No fighting! You better put those fists away!" (This was usually directed at my brothers.)

"Ahem? Attitude adjustment, Missy?"** (I heard this phrase about once a day from ages 8 to 18.)

 "Don't lick your ice cream bowl, Sweetheart; that's very unbecoming." (same goes for this one. In my defense, my Dad says it's okay.)

"What's up, Peanut-Butter-Sandwich-Cookie?  (term of endearment)

"Walk in love."

I have lots more quotes, ranging from "Go upstairs and change." to "Have you lost your ever-loving mind?!" but the last one listed is one that has really stuck with me. It's one that my Mom you used to say when I came home from school crying because girls were mean, or when I was frustrated with my siblings, and I have to admit that sometimes it felt trite and overused. It wasn't until I was older that I really understood what it meant.

I watched my mother for years, making sacrifices, doing things that were hard for her, and putting herself last, and I used to wonder why, and think that I could never be that selfless. I finally realized that the driving force behind those sacrifices was how much she loved my me and my siblings, and other people in general.

My mom is one of the most loving, and forgiving people I know, so when I hear her say "Walk in love" it's something I know she lives everyday. I've seen her go out of her way to make sure a single mother at our church had money for diapers. My mom once rescued a hooker from a pimp on a bicycle.  And if you think that's wild, she once made me a Big Bird cake from scratch, and threw a New Kids on the Block-themed pool party for my cousin, while 8-months pregnant with my sister, all while my Dad was deployed to Saudi Arabia.

If that's not walking in love, then I don't know what is. Last year, I got those words tattooed on my foot, to remind me to be patient, and kind, and loving with people, even when it's not easy.

I strive to be like my mother more and more everyday. She's an inspiration to me and I hope that one day I can be half as good of a mother, wife, friend, teacher, and woman as she is.

Me and my role model, Joy Angela Royston.

**Another runner-up phrase to this one was brought up frequently when I would cop an attitude and put my hands on my hips. My mom would glance at me and say, "Take your hands off your imagination, girl." Suffice it to say, I was a bean-pole for many years before I developed this um, somewhat-voluptuous figure.