Strong Women

I'm a pretty lucky girl to have been surrounded by such wonderful moms. Women who have shown me how to accomplish all the things I have set out to do in my life. My grandmother, Genelle Brown, was such a strong lady and she truly showed me how important it is to support your kids no matter their age. Nana was always there for my parents at every turn. I know how important it is to be able to pick up the phone and know that your parents will always be there to help solve any problem that arises. When I think of Papa and Nana, I think of two people who were givers. They gave whatever they could, whenever they could. I can't think of one major or even minor event in my life that Papa and Nana missed. That's the kind of parent and grandparent I want to be! I hope that when B gets older that she understands the importance of her middle name and that she realizes how much the Browns meant to not only their family, but to the many students and community members they touched over their lifetimes.

I think back a few years ago to when I was overwhelmed with all that was happening in my life. My mom told me that it is possible to teach, go to grad school, and have a baby at home all at the same time. Of course she knew it was possible! She did it and survived, and so did I. As I get older I realize how much I value the relationship I have with my mom. I can't think of one other person who listens the way she does. No one else will listen to me endlessly ramble about all the little things that go on during my day and not only sympathize, but truly understand what it is like. I love that my mom gets outraged when something silly makes me mad at work. She's just good at acknowledging feelings. She's also inherited that "giver" quality from her parents. I can't count the times Nick and I have been in a bind, and I know that I only have to pick up the phone and the problem will be solved. I think about the time I got food poisoning and my parents drove four hours in the middle of the night to Chapel Hill so that Brooklynn, who was 6 months old at the time, didn't have to stay in the hospital with me in the middle of the swine flu epidemic. So Mom, I know that you are currently in the beginning stages of the biggest battle you will ever fight but just know that now I am here to listen to you and that Nick and I will be there for you and Dad at every turn. We love you and are so blessed to have you in our lives.

I married Nick for a few reasons, the biggest being that he has such a good heart. In many ways, Nick reminds me of Papa. The guy who always has a kind word and knows just what to say. This is the quality that is most important to me especially when it comes to raising our kids. Nick is such a good father and I look at him every day and say a thank you that I have been blessed with such a strong, smart, good man to be my husband and father of my kids. I know that Nick is this way because of the important women in his life, his grandmothers, Ann Wilson and Lena Farr, and most importantly his sweet mom, Karen. Nick has grown up in a house filled with love and knowledge that no matter what happens in life God is in control. Without these things Nick wouldn't be the person he is today and for that I am thankful.

Lastly I just want to say how much I love this little girl. I hope that I can be half the mom that the women mentioned above have been to their own children.

Happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there!