Did you ever read that book If you give a Pig a Pancake?

If you give a pig a pancake, she’ll want some syrup to go with it. You’ll give her some of your favorite maple syrup, and she’ll probably get all sticky, so she’ll want to take a bath. She’ll ask you for some bubbles. When you give her the bubbles…

It’s of course alluding to our modern lives, the more we have the more we want and we are never satisfied. Today I am remembering the simpler days because it is my Mother’s Birthday and she is a fabulous woman who never wanted for much but was and is always thankful and grateful for what she has. I admire my mother for the way that she always made womanhood and motherhood look easy. Throughout my life and my struggles whether it is marital problems… (Yes I have had those, if you have been married for more than two seconds so have you), financial problems (very relatable) or problems with my children (they are not angels they just look that way), my mom was able to offer me a shoulder; a home cooked meal and wisdom because she had been there too. The beauty is that I never knew that there were ever tough times in my childhood, financially or otherwise. Hell weren’t you all eating Chicken Cutlets for supper occasionally and buying the big bags of puffed wheat cereal? Joking aside my Mom was the one who made the bad times good, so much so that I never knew there was a bad time ever.

I also admire her pride. I learned from her that everyone goes through tough times; it is how you handle them that shape you into the person you are supposed to be. Who hasn’t suffered the financial burden of a long, cold Canadian winter and the endless heating costs? Born and raised in Nova Scotia I know it well and recall with not so fond memories the gouging, skyrocketing oil prices. I remember one particular winter when Kirk got laid off and I started to panic and my mother told me a story about how she and my Dad (R.I.P.) went through a hard winter when my brother Mike was just a baby and they ran out of oil and couldn’t afford any. Both were too proud to ask for help because they believed that you take care of your own. One cold night between paychecks my Mom said she dressed my brother in a snow suit so he would be warm and they cut up a table for firewood. It may sound like a sad story and I really hope she doesn’t mind me sharing it. That story did more for me than any other I have ever been told and I respect my mother more for it. When the going gets tough the tough make compromises, they don’t give up, they don’t give in, they just alter their situation temporarily.

About five years ago my husband got laid off, as I mentioned) and we had to temporarily alter our situation which meant my husband was going to work in Fort Mac for six months. Well six months came and went and we decided to sell our house and move to Edmonton so we could be together as a family. My Mother was devastated. Haley and Morgan were 4 & 8 and she did not want me to move them so far away. Everyone told me daily what a mistake I was making and how much I would hate it but not my Mom; she told me that I was strong enough to make my family work anywhere. She gave me a silver chain that I barely take off, it has interconnecting hearts to represent that no matter how far away we are our hearts will always be connected. It’s true. I will admit I didn’t want to move but I wasn’t about to move my children across Country and not give it an honest shot. We have made a good life here and one of the things that made it easier is knowing that no matter whether we were five feet or five thousand miles away my Mom and I are only ever a thought or a phone call away, and our hearts will always be connected. My children are closer to their Nanny then some children that live in the same town as theirs. Geography is just an obstacle, not a road block.

My mother and I are not alike in every way and though she may not enjoy or appreciate the same things as me she takes an active interest in my life. Unlike friends that come and go over the years my Mom is a constant, even as we grow and change our relationship doesn’t fade away, it is altered and stronger.

I have a good mother. Her love and guidance has made me a better person. I celebrated with her as she turned 29 seven times in a row (the Mug said so). I saw her grieve the loss of a husband, hold her grandchildren, laugh till she cried (actually she farted), cry, rejoice, resent, love again! Her love is constant and enduring and I wish her the very happiest of birthdays!!

Hug your mother. Like the pig she will want more, she will probably then want a kiss too and then she will probably want to make you a nice meal and after the meal she will probably insist on dessert…..it’s a win win situation!!

Happy 29^Th Birthday AGAIN!!! Love you Mom.