Superwoman... or, my Mom.

Tomorrow, after 29 years, my wonderful mother is checking into the Ashland School District one last time. Happy Retirement, Lilly.

When I was in grade school, my mom took a part time role as a nationally recognized crossing guard. She would get recognized when we went on vacations, and we always got a nice laugh from it. She went into a long career with the District, doing so many different jobs that I'm sure their HR loved her always differing pay rates. She would become that crossing guard at the most busy intersection of my hometown, but known to only throw her crossing guard flagpole once at a speeding car (he deserved it) - but would then go onto run a large paint crew to paint the district's buildings over the summer.

More than doing only that big paint crew job, she would also run the mail courier to all of the district's buildings. Oh, and the job she spent the most hours doing was in the kitchen. She first worked in the kitchen at the middle school while I was attending (thanks mom; I can say it made me stronger when people made fun of the lunch lady's kid). She most recently served as the manager of the Helman school kitchen, while still doing her paint crew duties during the summer and running the mail between buildings as well. I almost can't imagine keeping three jobs straight!

She gave love and quality attention to all of her many students, faculty and co-workers. She had a way to get the hard jobs done, but also have a good time doing it. She wasn't the type to just sit there and collect a paycheck -- she WORKED. Here's a picture of her that I caught several years ago (that she will kill me for sharing!).

It’s customary from what I have witnessed that people can “have short timers” and slack a bit right before retirement. I once had a valued employee wear some clothing less appropriate for an engineering department on their last day and I will always remember what he said in an endearing way, “well, you can’t fire me.” .  But, this isn’t my mom's way. As I write this, she is working late on her second to last day at work. I asked her why she stayed late today and she was finishing her “one of many” roles as a mail courier, and people wanting to chat with her on her final few days. Everyone loves my mom.  

Sure, she’s my mom and I’m biased that she’s super hero.  But, she really is. She raised three kids with my father that was working 60 to 70+ hours a week at times.  She would work, then come home and play the typical 1950’s housewife....  home cooked dinner, clean house, laundry, etc.  She also pushed us into extra curriculars, Cub Scouts, Brownie's, etc, etc... Now that I have a family of my own, I really can’t understand or even comprehend how she made it look so easy.  I can think of only one or two times she lost her cool over us kids.  Once, she tried to hit me....  yep, "super mom" raised her fist!  Alas, I was picking on her like any good teenager would (she’s five foot nothin) and I put my arm out to hold her head back and she never connected a hit because my arms were much longer than her swinging punches. If you think she was mad before, this did the trick... She was beyond mad, but after she realized we looked more like a Three Stooges skit, we fell over hugging and laughing so hard we nearly cried.  She is the best mom that anyone could of asked for.

I love you, mom — and I am so happy you now have time to do whatever the heck you want!