Happy Retirement Mom

I had a great childhood.  I grew up in a happy home and I give all the credit to my Mom.  Our house, especially our backyard, was full of kids everyday.  My mom made big homemade meals daily and we generally had a crowd at the table to eat with us.

My parents separated when I was little but I don't recall my mom talking bad about my dad to me, instead she focused on taking care of her kids.  My mom babysat 5 kids to supplement her child support when we were younger.  As the children all became school aged, my mom went to work at a convenience store to make sure that all of our needs were met.  Even though we could not afford it, my brother and I went to private school until the 8th grade.  She also made sure that I had braces to fix my horrible teeth, and for that I am extremely grateful.                                                                                                                                                                                                  

My Mom with her favorite, and only, grandson of all time, Bobby

When I got to high school the child support payments stopped coming because my dad was laid off from the mines and hadn't found a steady job, so my mom did what she needed to do to take care of her family.  She started cleaning houses for people.  Meanwhile, our house was in dire need of repairs.  My mom was out searching for a better job.  I remember sitting in a parking lot outside in our car while my mom was inside interviewing for a job.  I hoped and hoped that she would get it, but now as an adult I realize just how vital getting a good job was and I should have been on my knees praying to God that she got the job!!  However, she didn't get that job.  

Thankfully, one day someone that she went to high school with came into the store where she was working and told her that the gas company was hiring.  My mom put in her application.  Praise God, my mom got the job, she now worked for Hope Gas.  However, she wasn't going to be doing a secretarial type job....she was going out into the field and working along side the men who were doing the manual labor jobs.  My mom was going out and digging ditches to take care of her family.  How many almost 40 year old women do you know that would say yes to this??  My mom did!!!!  Who knew how valuable a lesson that this would be me in my life with Bobby.  You do what you have to do to take care of your family!!!!  Thanks Mom for being such a great teacher.

I'm not sure how many years she worked in the field, but she read meters, dug ditches, laid pipe, drove machinery and many other unfathomable jobs.  I was so excited for her when she finally got a new position with the gas company as a dispatcher.  The major pro of the job was that it would be much, much, much less physical, the major con...shift work.  One week day shift, one week afternoon shift, one week day shift, one week afternoon shift and finally, the worst, one week midnight shift.  She has lived this life for many years and our holiday life has revolved around these crazy shifts.

As thankful as I am that she landed this life saving job for our family, over the past few years I really have hated the thought of her driving to work at such odd times, especially in the winter.  She had to keep her trunk packed with clothes and necessities just in case she got stuck at work.  I also hate the thought of her being alone at night working midnight shift.

Well today it all ends.  Twenty-six years in the making.  My mom will be retired from Dominion Hope Gas Company after her shift ends today.  CONGRATULATIONS MOM!!!!!  You are an awesome role model.  Thanks for being such a great Mom, friend, and Grandma.  We love you and can't wait to come and celebrate with you today!!!