Mama.

All that I am or ever hope to be, I owe to my angel Mother.  

~Abraham Lincoln

My mom is Robin Dunnaway Reichman. She was born in Georgia to a hardworking and humble family of 7 children. She worked her way through school, taking glamorous jobs such as working at the Wienerschnitzel to get by. My dad came along, they got married, got pregnant about 3 seconds later, and just like that my mom stepped into her role as mother. 

My mom could have been a lot of things. She's smart and clever. She works hard and accomplishes what she wants. She's dedicated and sharp and would succeed in any avenue she decided to take. Some less enlightened people might say that her talents were squandered by her decision to stay home and raise a bunch of snot-nosed bratty kids. As one of those now grown but still bratty and occasionally snot-nosed kids, I would like to make sure the world knows that my mother's talents were not wasted. They did not go unappreciated. I am eternally grateful and indebted to her, and the sacrifice she made to be a mother to me and my siblings. Because of her sacrifice, she has 6 children to adore her. 6 children who are happily, albeit clumsily, developing into (mostly) functional people who will hopefully contribute some good to the world. Because of her love and devotion, I miraculously moved out of the house, went to college, found a husband, and am behaving in a pattern that is very like unto adulthood. This surprising development is solely the result of the encouragement and support of my mother. 

My mom is the woman that the calling of motherhood was designed for. She's one for the books: selfless, compassionate, kind, funny, playful, comforting, great cook, listener extraordinaire, strong, beautiful. I really don't deserve her. She is completely selfless. Her truest joy in life is to watch her children be happy. She's spent her life shopping on clearance for herself, so she can spoil her kids on their birthdays. Giving up hobbies or interests so that she can be at every concert, game, and recital. Sacrificing sleep to help with last-minute projects or rub the back of a sick baby. Dyeing her hair from the box so that she could afford to take me to get those highlights I was convinced would change my life and make me popular. She gave it all to being a mother. 

A couple weeks ago, my mom helped me load up my car as I left her house after living there for 2 months. As she heaved my 300 pound suitcase into my trunk, I suddenly felt kind of sorry for my future children. They are on their own with the heavy suitcases. I am so far away from everything that my mother is. But luckily for my future children (heaven help them), my mom gave me all of the tools I need to be the mom I want to be. Even if I never develop the crazy mom-strength of my mother, it is my sincerest hope that I can give my children everything my mom gave to me. I don't say it enough, but I hope she knows how extremely grateful I am for her. 

Thank you for letting me crawl into your bed to watch Sesame Street at 6 in the morning. (Not recently.) (Although there are times I still want to.)

Thank you for attending countless concerts, recitals and plays. Even the painful ones. Like Pirates of the Penzance in 7th grade. That's true love, folks.


Thank you for making the effort to give all of your children amazing memories. It couldn't have been easy loading us all up in the van and driving 7 hours to the beach, but those memories are priceless to me. 

Thank you for being my friend when no one else was. For convincing me that I am worth being friends with. For telling me that the girl who was so mean to me in 9th grade was just a B-word, and I don't need to waste my time being hurt by her. 

Thank you for the endless phone conversations about all of the trivial details of my life. For the advice when I need it. For the "you are so right" when I am probably wrong but don't want to hear it. For the listening ear that doesn't judge, but just listens. 


Thank you for making me feel like a million bucks. For clapping after every song, telling me my ideas are awesome, reading every paper, and congratulating my every accomplishment. You're the first person I run to with good news, and I think that's because I know that none of it would be possible with out you.


Thank you for sending me packages when I'm far away. And thanks for helping me buy plane tickets so that I can be home again.


Thank you for still letting me be your baby, even at 22. Sometimes a girl just needs her mama.


Thank you for showing me how to find joy in the small moments. For showing me that life is mean to be enjoyed, and not just endured. Thank you for teaching me how to laugh at myself. 


Thank you for teaching me that the way to happiness is to serve others.


Thank you for your testimony, and your example of clinging to the gospel. Your faith inspires me and blesses me more than you can know. Thank you for your prayers on my behalf. 


Thank you for loving me, despite my long list of imperfections. 


Thank you for showing me what it means to be a mother. 

Thank you, mama.

I love you bunches.