This one's for you, Mom

Recently, my mom made the comment that she misses reading the columns I write.

I started my “Kendall’s Korner” in 1992 when I began working at Tazewell Publishing Co. in Morton.

Over the years, I wrote about all sorts of topics. They ran the gamut, but were mostly about life experiences, ranging from when my cousin had her baby to when my other cousin committed suicide to my first time skiing.

My mom’s favorite was the one I wrote about the battle I had with my cats when I put up my first Christmas tree. I was so proud of that tree, but after the cats knocked it over three times, I gave up and sat on the floor and cried.

I don’t pen many columns these days since the criteria now doesn’t usually allow us to write about personal life experiences and since my new job role doesn’t call for much writing.

I told my boss about my mom’s comment, and we talked about the fact that the reason my mom misses my columns is because ... well, she’s my mom. Naturally, my parents and grandparents are the biggest fans of my column. But, after I pitched the idea of writing a special column for my mom just for Mother’s
Day, my boss agreed.

So, mom, this one’s for you.

First, let me say that I am flattered that you miss my column, even if you are my mom. I feel fortunate that you care enough to pay attention. It is hard for me to imagine, but not all children have parents who acknowledge their achievements in life.

Although my mom and I are totally different, she’s always been there for me. I call her my rock.

We don’t share things like other moms and daughters I know — you know, the ones who go shopping and do lunch. My mom isn’t like that. She is a tomboy. Unlike me, she’s not into clothes, makeup or shopping.

Growing up, my mom loved horses. She was a little cowgirl. She even had a horse when she was a young girl. One of the most precious pictures I ever saw of her was in a cowgirl outfit. She had a big smile on her little, round, freckled face. Another photo we had hanging in our living room for a long time was of my mom in her teenage years racing a horse around a barrel.

Today, my mom still has horses and sometimes shows them.

I’ve never been into horses. I think they’re beautiful and I’ve ridden them with my mom, but I don’t like the dirty part that goes along with them. They are too much maintenance for me.

My mom thinks nothing of putting on old blue jeans and mucking stalls or throwing hay. I, on the other hand, don’t want to get dirty.

Sometimes I wish I was more of a tomboy so I could share more with my mom, but we have other things in common. We both love reading, going to the movies, drinking tea and playing with our cats.

Sometimes I wonder what my mom really thinks about the difference in our lifestyles, habits and hobbies. Did she ever imagine she would have a child so different from her?

The thing she might not realize is that we are very similar in our values — the ones she taught me.

As a single mom raising two children, she taught me how to be independent and strong. She also taught me about respect and the value of hard work. My mom always worked laborious jobs, first at Hiram Walkers loading wine barrels into trucks, and then at Pekin Energy Co. cleaning out boilers. It was a hot, dirty, difficult job.

Today, I really respect my mom for being such a hard worker. I don’t think I could ever do the hard labor that she did. I respect her for raising two children and doing the best she could. I respect her for
overcoming the hardships in her life. I admire her for many things, but mostly for being supportive of me and my brother. And I love her for countless reasons, and because ... well, she’s my mom!