Happy Mother's Day!

My mom, Corky.
Believe it or not... she doesn't drink.

This Christmas, a friend of mine shared what I believe is a common, seldom discussed, often hidden fear:

Am I a total mom fail because my halls are not decked with boughs of holly and not a single sugar plum...or cookie...dances in a head...or a cookie jar?

Now, can I be honest?

I'm not at all crafty. Staying between the lines when I color is my highest level of artistic success.

I'll also confess my hatred of cooking. I do it, but only so no one starves to death. 

And decorating? My theory is less bric-a-brac = less dusting. 

When it comes to perfection, I am so far from the zone, it'd take light years for my sometimes bubble-headed self to float there. 

But, I don't worry.

I was raised by a mom who put her own spin on Betty Homemaker.

My mom might not always be there with a plate of cookies, but her kids can never escape her advice...her care...or her love. 

My mom is also the kind of mom who never squashed a dream. 

When I was eleven, I got grounded, hard to tell what for...probably my big mouth. I hated to be grounded. I was always a girl on the go. So, I wrote my mom a card with the following promise: "Please, beautiful Mommy please- unground me. If you unground me now, when I am a famous writer, I will buy you a mansion."

My mom bought me a type writer and subscription to "Writer's Digest". 

She still has the card. She keeps it safe, just waiting to cash it in. Every now and then, she gets a little antsy and does her own "career development". 

This summer she called me and asked, "What's a RITA?"

I said, "It's an award, sort of like the Pulitzer Prize of romance."

Mom said, "Well, that's how Norah Roberts got her start. You should win that."

I said (with much sarcasm), "Sure. I'll get right on that."

Nonplussed, Mom says, "Good, let me know if you need me to call someone and nominate you."

That's my mom.

And I want to say thanks. 

Thanks for always believing in me more than I believe in myself. 

And for teaching a child that whimsy can be as crucial as logic.