Thoughts on my mother

My sister is making a scrapbook for Mom's 80th birthday, and asked me (using a name that hasn't been mine for nearly four years now) for photos and some kind of reminiscence. I can't communicate directly with her given her utter disrespect for Travis and me, so I'm forwarding this to her via our aunt. I'm sharing what I wrote here so it will exist with the right name and gender pronouns SOMEwhere, because I know full well that my sister will edit it. I'll fix it the next time I'm there, but since this is neither about nor for ME, I'm choosing not to make a stink about it.

Anyway, here you go:

Thoughts on my mother


Throughout my life Mom has been accepting and loving and supportive. After every mistake, and believe me, I've made more than my share, she'd be there, arms wide, no judgment in her at all. She loved Carol Lynn and me equally, but I think I must have taken more effort, being the "bad" kid. But if loving me was difficult, it never showed.

Mom's been a taskmaster at times, given discipline when it was needed, but through it all she's been loving and accepting. Today, as I write this, I can't imagine how I would have made it this far without her. I know that I haven't turned out the way she imagined I would, but through it all she's been right there beside me. I love you, Mom. You're the best mother a girl could have.

Carla Anderson
9 August 2014