My Wonderful Mother

 I have a great mom. She is sweet, caring and full of love for everything weak, sad or helpless. When we were growing up my mom was always there for us to take care of our tragedies big and small, real and imagined. She is always willing to take the time to listen to someone in need and spend whatever time they require to let them know that she cares about them. She is always looking for ways to serve others and take care of those wounded by life. She taught us all the finer points of civil disobedience and has continued the tradition of scofflaw-ing with my children teaching them how to trespass and not get caught. The reason for teaching proper trespassing is simple, it is because all of the best adventures are behind gates and fences clearly labeled 'No Trespassing'. She was the type of mom that liked to take us out on what she called 'high risk outdoor adventures' and press forward into where the world keeps all of the real fun. There was severe flooding in the middle 80's and many of the roads in the canyon by our house were washed completely out. That only sweetened the pot of the hiking payout now with danger, posted signs and a great day of exercise we were into the fabled recreation trifecta, so of course we partook. When we came to badly washed out sections my mom would lead out across the narrow strips of road that were left demonstrating how to hold onto scrub oak to help us keep our balance as were braved the washed out precipice. It was a great day and just one of many that mom mom took us on always teaching us to embrace life and the experience at every moment. She is an amazing woman and a better mother.