by Linda Braymiller

Created on: January 14, 2009

MISSION IMPOSSIBLE

It's not so much that's she's just the best! Mom's real, down-to-earth, generous, and is always ready to face a challenge. "Mission Impossible" would describe her role as she faced screaming kids, unpaid bills, basketballs in the bathroom, and the hot water heater blowing up. But somewhere in the midst of all of this, she maintained some sense of normalcy to raise four boys.

Keeping up with four boys was no easy task. Mom was often seen with a sponge in one hand, a spoon in the other since she was always cooking, and a cup of cold coffee would be on the table.

Sometimes Mom seemed to be carrying a Excedrin Headache Number 47 or so it seemed since there would be days when the boys taunted the girls in the neighborhood with garter snakes. Then there would be would be times when one of my brothers would kick the seat for 50 miles on a trip to Ft. Lauderdale during heavy traffic and she would be ready to pull her red hair out by the time when we arrived home. Then lets not forget the the time my brother threw his shoes out the window or when one brother bit my brother and caused a trip to the doctor for a tetanus shot. These were the days when Mom would pray to God to only give her only what she could handle and no more.

But everyone loves the adorable little boy. They are young, innocent, and sweet. Mom remembered the times when she received the necklace made out of macaroni, and the hugs and kisses as she was awakened in the morning by smiling our faces or the time she watched us as we waive at her with tear-filled eyes from the bus when we begin our first day of school.

Mom learned throughout the years that there are some basic rules in raising four boys. First, diaper rash isn't terminal. Washing your face isn't considered cruel and unusual punishment, and summer vacations do come to an end. Finally your children won't die from poison if they use a glass their brother just used.

Mom became skilled in the ability to patch, comfort, teach, and listen. She watched her four boys grow and take flight. We crawled, walked, and experienced life's ups and downs as we grew. She spent a lifetime trying to get us off the ground just like a person flying a kite. Mom watched us continually as we were lifted higher and higher by the wind and one day she saw that we were able to fly by ourselves. Only then she knew she had completed her job. And with that Mom put down her spoon, took off her apron, and poured herself a nice hot cup of coffee as she sighed, sat down, and smiled up at God.

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