Thanks Mom, for everything
Thanks Mom, for everything
There is not enough space in this paper for me to adequately describe and praise the ways in which I have been blessed with such a wonderful mom.
So in honor of Mother's Day yesterday, I would like to share some memories with you and hope they begin to scratch the surface.
Above all, I appreciate how close Mom and I are and how that closeness alleviated any trepidation when I needed her advice growing up. In high school and college, she always gave me helpful advice about everything, including the opposite sex. Yes, ladies, there was a time when even I needed some help with that subject.
She is also consistently supportive of all my endeavors, helping me as much with a college entrance essay as she does with applying for an internship at a magazine akin to Maxim.
While we share many qualities we sometimes differ in the political arena, but this only serves to strengthen our relationship. That we can so fervently and heatedly debate who the best presidential candidate is, sometimes to the raising of my voice, only to be laughing together a moment later, is not only a testament to our bond, but a recent tradition I hope continues for years.
Another tradition I am grateful for is entertaining friends at our home, which is definitely a passion transferred from my mom to me. My New Year's Eve party is an annual highlight and each year it seems to be a little bigger than the last, with more guests, more food, or both.
For eight years now, she and my dad were generous enough to not only let me use their home for the soiree, but she helps me cater the event by preparing sumptuous cuisine that would have Rachael Ray demanding the recipes. Mom's chocolate chip cookies and crab cakes are to die for, but it's her hot artichoke dip which truly tells each guest (and their stomach) it's time to welcome a new year … and another plate.
Since my mom loves to decorate, when I would return from college for Christmas break, I could look forward to the home being adorned with more holiday items than a Hallmark store and those winter memories with friends and family are among the richest and happiest in my mind.
My mom treats my friends as if they were part of the family and that's always meant a lot to me and I'm not sure I ever said thanks properly for that, so thanks, Mom.
Mom also handed down her love of movies to me and we have almost as much fun discussing our varying cinematic tastes as we do viewing movies. I tease her for saying she wants me to rent "A new release with a star in it," while she still laments the time I returned from the store during my high school years with a Dutch film with English subtitles.
Nevertheless, we agree on many films and I still remember the first time I watched "The Godfather." I remember that summer night 12 years ago when I watched a regretful movie producer awake to the unsettling sight of his prized horse's head at the foot of his bed, and watched Marlon Brando show what great acting is - all while my mom recounted to me how much she loved going to see it in the theater.
Mom, I'm so grateful we shared that together, and for all the other great memories and the ones we will build in the future. I'm thankful for your guidance, love and wisdom over the years and the way you've helped me become who I am today. I couldn't have asked for any more.
Happy Mother's Day.
Chaz Holmes is the Columbia Basin Herald news assistant. Chaz's mother is to be commended for doing such a great job in raising such a well-mannered, well-spoken young man.
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