Auntie Pat

Children called her "Auntie Pat". The children she babysat while we were at school.
Some were toddlers of neighbors on our street, others were infants and tots of people from our parish. I don't know how so many mother's found out about my mom.
I guess it was just word of mouth.
She truly was great with kids. She loved them. Really loved them.
And she had patience like no one I've ever known.
She just had this knack for babies. She knew what they needed, and how to comfort them. There were never any tears. No crying upset babies. They were always happy and content.

I remember coming home from grade school, when she was babysitting.
She would be there, just enjoying the day, folding clothes on the sofa, surrounded by children; a baby cooing on a blanket, two tots playing on the floor, another one with a toy car crawling by. Complete harmony. Everything in order.

Some of the mom's in the parish have told me that my mom saved their lives, or saved their children's lives. It's the greatest compliment, really. And a well deserved one at that. She really was a pro.

Meet my Mom

She's a Saint. A real Saint.
You know why?
She never asked for anything for herself. Never.
Not a new dress, shoes, makeup, nothing.
She earned money on the side taking care of other mother's children while
we were away at school. With the money she earned (and I think it was like $5 per day per child), she bought things for my father, like a new gun case one year, which he badly wanted.
She smiled most of the time.
She referenced God often.
She did not criticise her children, she advocated for them.
She loved the underdogs, the broken-hearted, the troubled, the weak, the ones who needed someone to listen.
Of course, I didn't notice it when I was growing up.
Because she was my mom. And I was all about me at the time.
What a mistake that was.
Words of wisdom folks, don't wait until you mom is sick and dying to take stock
of how special she is. DO NOT WAIT ANOTHER DAY. Tell her now, tonight, just how special she is.