Hi Non

Non is a name I lovingly bestowed upon my mother when I first started using text messages. Before phones with full keyboards, there was predictive text. My mom got her first cell phone when I was in high school and I was trying to figure out how to text. Every time I typed "Mom", predictive text would change it to "Non". It stuck. Now all my sisters use it as a nickname for her. "Hi Non" was the first text message I sent her and it continues to be a text we sisters send her just for fun.

My preschoolers filled out a little survey about their mom that I sent home with them along with some handmade gifts. I thought I'd take it and try to tell you a little about my mother.

What is your mom's first name? Heather

What is her favorite food? My mom loves fresh seafood - especially salmon perfectly grilled, lightly seasoned and smothered with mango salsa. Fish and chips from Burgerville is just about her favorite thing ever.

What is her favorite thing to do? She loves to teach - and she's good at it. Her 1st grade students love her. She works hard and does fun things and she celebrates their success. She's always telling us the funny things they say and do. Just yesterday she told me how excited she was that her class did so well on the DRA (reading test). I hope someday to be the kind of teacher she is.

What is her favorite color? She used to tell me that she loves all the colors but I know she's also said she likes yellow. So, yellow?

What is her favorite place? I know she loves to be anywhere her family is. When we get together it's really silly. She loves her own brothers and sisters too - and all of her nephews and nieces. If family were a place, it would be her favorite.

What is her favorite treat? I definitely got my sweet tooth from my mom. Anything chocolate, frosted, or glazed is good. Ice cream, cake, pie, doesn't matter. It's a favorite. She makes yummy things - her chocolate chip cookies are money. Her carmelita bars are perfection. Her pinuche frosting is, well, it's really really good.

What is your favorite thing about her? It's really hard to narrow it down to one thing. She's amazing. I guess I would have to say her patience. Raising kids is a challenge. I think anyone who has kids will tell you it's hard. I'm so glad my mom decided to love me despite my teenage years. I was a brat. I'm thankful that my mom was patient enough to hope I might turn out ok. The jury is still out on that - but at least we're friends now. Shortly after I got married, our relationship changed from mother/daughter to friends. I still need her to be my mom. I still call her crying when my baby hurts or when I just don't know what to do with my jealous almost-three-year old who took scissors to Hazel's rocking chair cover. It's nice to call my 24 hour on-call nurse. Even if she doesn't have the answer, she's calm and confident. Maybe someday I will be just as amazing as she is.

Happy Mother's Day to you, Non!