Mother's Day

This month, I was honored to be chosen Teacher of the Year for my elementary campus. There was a big hoopla at the downtown Hilton for all the TOtheYs.

Many people have asked me if we got tangible awards.

Well, yes! I got a nice printed certificate and a reserved space in the teacher's parking lot.

I'm pretty sure that's what the people at Enron got as bonuses. Right?

I really don't know how to take this award. I know that soon my certificate will find itself at the bottom of a pile of paperwork, and the parking space will turn over to someone else.

But the award that keeps giving? Motherhood.

The early Mother's Days brought me hugs and sticky kisses, which were later replaced by drawings and homemade cards. I still have them all.

And now those children? All adults; all scattered across the country. Got to have lunch with The Boy and his girlfriend yesterday. He will turn 22 in Costa Rica this summer during his Study Abroad trip. Got two great calls from The Married Daughter in Missouri.

The best gift? Seeing those adult children heading off for their futures with hope in their hearts. Surely that trumps the combination of certificate/parking space. In spades.

And I close with my favorite lines from my favorite read-aloud book, (read endless times to my now-adult children) "Love You Forever" by Robert Munsch.

"I'll love you forever,
I'll like you for always,
As long as I'm living,
My babies you'll be."