The Trainer Momma's Momma

First thing's first:

I believe in celebrating motherhood!  So, it's time to get spoiled, ladies:

Have you entered the Mother's Day Giveaway #1?

Have you entered the Mother's Day Giveaway #2?

Have you entered the Mother's Day Giveaway #3?  

Time is running out!  

All giveaways end tonight at midnight.  

The lucky winners will be announced tomorrow.

My dad tells the story when he and my mother were newly married and watching a football game, one of the players kicked a field goal. My mother commented on how ridiculous that was, since anybody could kick a field goal. Dad, in order to prove her wrong, grabbed a football, a tee and drove her down to the local high school football field. He set up the ball and tee at the 30-yard-line, then told her to prove that anyone could kick a field goal. She backed up, ran towards the ball, and kicked that football right through the goal posts. FIELD GOAL! First try. My dad still laughs in disbelief.

When I was a kid, we didn’t get to watch a lot of television. We did have a TV, however for a long time it was an ancient black and white beauty with no remote -- oh my, heavens no. In fact, we had to change the channels with our teeth. Our parents were not into making watching the tube a comfortable experience (hhhmm, wonder where I picked that up from?). Our screen time was very limited, however, once in a while I would wake up before the sun and before my parents. I would sneak out to the living room and watch the Electric Company -- in silence. No sound. I didn’t want to wake anybody up.

However, I could count on my mother being up shortly after me and walk quietly around in the darkness.  She would slip out the back door to meet her running group. She did this every morning.

I also have many memories sitting on the side of the pool watching my mom swim her daily laps in the summer. Every time she took a breath, I’d try to get her attention and yell, “MOM!” Stroke, stroke, stroke -- “MOM!” Stroke, stroke, stroke. It never worked. She was in her happy place:  in the water, tuned out from the five of us.  Just swimming.

The water is still my mom's happy place.

A few weeks ago, my mother joined her Masters Swim team in a competitive state swim meet. At age 61, she entered six events and medalled in all six! I was so proud of her and loved hearing all about her events and races. My only regret is that I hadn’t travelled to Houston with my kids to be her cheering section in the stands.

How awesome is that for my kids to know their grandma is a swim champion?  I want to be like that when I grow up.

(Yep, this picture makes me cry every time I see it.  This is my mom, my older sister on the left and  me on the right.)

My mother is probably the best athlete in our family.  She has always been very healthy, active, and moving.  When I was overweight and pretty much miserable a dozen years ago, I knew who to turn to:  my mother.  Despite ignoring her example and teachings for years, when I needed it and wanted it, her solid pattern of living right was there.   I leaned on that many times when turning myself around.

I am amazed now when I look in the mirror and see my mother -- I am the same age now as my mother was when I was a child. I know that is obvious, but it simply blows my mind. She made and continues to make such a long term impact on me. On my views of motherhood. On my views of myself. On my views of health.  On my views of life and beyond.  I can only hope to do the same for my own children. I'm sure trying.

I love you mom.  Thank you.

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