Momma

I sure miss momma. She would have hated that I chose this picture of her to put on my blog, but I loved sneaking up behind her and taking surprise photos. This was taken at her home in Florida as she was feeding seagulls from her back yard pier. I told her a seagull had dropped a surprise on her hair and she was saying "Really?" when I snapped this. My mother is the reason I have my sense of humor. When I was around 7 years old I was getting picked on a lot at school. I was from Louisiana living in Illinois and kids can be cruel. On top of my southern accent I was a stutterer. One day after severe taunting from those mean Yankees I came home crying. Momma was my protector and defender. She asked what was wrong and I explained what had happened. Instead of cuddling me or going up to the school the next day and giving those bullies a piece of her mind she taught me something that day I never forgot. She said use your accent to your advantage, make people laugh. She told me to make the bullies laugh with you not at you. Guess what? It worked. In fact it has worked for over 25 years. I started impersonating teachers, people, presidents and celebrities. I made people laugh and they weren't laughing at me anymore, they were laughing with me. Those same bullies became my friends and would ask me to impersonate Ronald Reagan or Elvis Presley. Today I still use it to my advantage, throwing in an impression in a sermon is always a bonus. I have been called upon to do my routine at meetings, banquets, graduation ceremonies, etc. My mom taught me to turn a weakness into a strength and I am so grateful for her many lessons. I miss her today. I miss being able to pick up the phone and call her. She always told me she was my number one fan, I know she still is! But I have also come to realize that I spent so much time absorbing her praise and adoration I didn't spend near enough time adoring her. Love you momma!