Boulder to London

Today is Mother’s day in the UK.  I actually thought that Mother’s day was the same everywhere and was worried that I had forgotten to call my mom (or mum as they say here), but after a quick google search, I realised all is good.  Mother’s day is May 10th in the states this year.  I guess it begs the question…do you celebrate where the mother is or where the child is?  I’m guessing where the mother is, but if I’m mistaken on this, let me know fast!

My mom has always been a very influential figure in my life.  She has overcome a lot and continues to fight some tough battles.  Her strength, perseverance and determination are characteristics that I try to emulate today.  Given that it is mother’s day here, maybe a top 10 list is appropriate.  How about my favorite 10 memories about mom.

1) My mom loved Neil Diamond.  She used to play it whenever she was home and to this day I know most of the words to his songs.

2) My mom used to take us kids to visit my aunt and uncle in Seattle.  We’d road trip across the state on mini-vacations and always made it to Pike Street Market.

3) When I told my mom that I was taking ‘Fluid Dynamics’ in college, she thought that was code for I was out drinking…it was a real engineering class!

4) I played a lot of sports as a kid.  Sometimes we won, sometimes we lost, sometimes I played well, sometimes I was awful.  Mom was almost always there and proud of me…rain, snow, sleet and hail.

5) Once I asked my mom for a German Chocolate Cake for my birthday.  I didn’t know that meant coconut frosting and I’m not a big fan of coconut.  She loved me all the same.

6) My mom carried me for 10 months.

7) My mom is trying to come to London to visit me this summer.  I hope she can make it!

My mom used to make us go outside and play.  It was probably the best thing any parent could do for their kids.

9) My mom is an expert on Facebook and Skype!  She was the first in the family to have both up and running to keep in touch after I moved to London.

10) In college, my mom came down to Mother’s weekend at WSU.  She was a true champ and rode the Shermer’s bus home!