My Mom...

...who would have been 92 y.o. today. Every four years her birthday would land on Thanksgiving, as it does today, and how very appropriate it is to celebrate one of the greatest blessings in my life on the day set aside to be thankful.   
 My mom was the "middle child" of 5, having 2 brothers and 2 sisters. (My 95 y.o. aunt is her older sister). My mom joined the Civil Air Patrol Cadets when she was 15. It was a brand new program started in 1942 for young men and women, ages 15-18, to interest them in aviation, & it worked. My mom took flying lessons & received her pilot's license shortly after she turned 16. The only time the two of us were on an airplane together was when we flew on United Airlines to my cousin's wedding. It was a horrible, turbulent flight in a thunderstorm & I was seriously thinking we were going to crash, until I looked over at my mom, who was grinning from ear to ear. She looked at me and said: "Isn't this fun"?  (Not to ME!!)  In the 1970's and early 80's when I had my horse & did some competing in hunter classes, she frequently came to watch me. She thought it looked like fun so she started taking riding lessons--in her early 50's-- at the riding stable where I boarded my horse. We'd ride together in the mornings and then go out for a late breakfast, which was always fun. She raised 6 of us kids in a small house--my dad was always working--and we all turned out okay. When people would ask her what her interests were, she always answered: "my children and grandchildren", and that was so true. What better gift can you give your children and grandchildren than your time & your unconditional love. Even as adults we knew that if we needed her she'd drop everything and come. I am so thankful for having been raised by the best mom in the world!  I miss her each and every day, but I know she's always watching over us. 
 Wishing all the U.S. blippers a very safe & happy Thanksgiving!!   :)