My mother (I call her "Maman") is special in a lot of ways. Now that Mother's Day is fast approaching I MUST think of a way to show my appreciation without her knowing until THAT DAY comes.
Maman is special because, first and formost, SHE'S MY MOTHER. She adopted me and the rest of us kids when nobody seemed to even care. She didn't give a hoot whether I (or the others) had been born to a different set of parents, or whether we were born disabled or healthy. She also didn't care whether some had heartbreaking disabilities (like Jodie: she was, basically, a "throwaway child" just because she had been born SEVERELY brain-damaged and handicapped with cerebral palsy). She adopted kids like Jodie because SHE CARES. PERIOD. She's just that type of person. Her heart is bigger than her body!!!!!
Maman is also special because she puts OUR needs before her own. She makes sure we have enough food in our bellies, clean clothes to wear (who CARES whether they come from the thrift shop or from K-Mart???), prompt medical attention when one of us falls ill (it HELPS that she's a NURSE!!!), a good education, plenty of time for fun and frolic, and discipline when we act up.
And maman is a FANTASTIC cook. Her Cajun dishes (in particular, her crawfish etouffee', which is to DIE for!) are especially popular around our house (although she can make Mexican, Vietnamese, or good-ole American fare just as easily).
She also makes cakes and pies from scratch.
Maman is also raising us up in a Christian environment. Church is especially important now that she's been "born again", and she wants us kids to make sure we know about Jesus. (We attend a Spirit-filled Pentecostal church, by the way. We go to Christ Community Assembly of God here in Nashville. Our pastor is Mr. Bruce Bilkey.)
And maman isn't afraid to demonstrate her love towards us. Each day hugs and kisses are in order, from the time day starts until we go to bed. She takes all of us each Sunday to Golden Corral before church (although the poor employees absolutely FREAK when we come strolling in: 46 kids--four of the kids live away from home--and 4 adults, making for a HUGE PARTY!!!!)--and usually pays for our meals. (I know that takes a big bite out of her check!) She also cuts our hair when we need it (although Ronee' had hers done at the beauty shop; she had hair down to her knees--ever since I'VE known her, anyway--, and just before Easter she had it all cut off. It now goes to just above her shoulders. It's REALLY CUTE on her! She looks just like a little pixie!!).
Maman is all this--and so much more. She's the BESTEST mother a kid could ever want!! I am SO BLESSED to have her in my life!!
Patrick is just about to celebrate his second birthday, and all of a sudden, he is afraid of the dark. What happens next offers a wonderful respite for siblings to learn. This book is a Mom’s Choice Awards® Silver seal of excellence Recipient in fam
