Its Mother’s Day week, and I was thinking about what kind of blog I would like to post this week. I wanted to honor the mothers out there this week and I thought the best way to do that would be to honor my own mom and feature her this week on my blog. So this week with great pride I introduce to you my mom, Cindy Hurley!
Cindy has been the Water Quality Supervisor at Paducah Water Treatment Plant, a teacher in Public Schools, a Preacher’s wife, a mother, a friend and so much more.
My mom and sister
David: When you found out you were going to be a mom, what was your reaction? I know you were thrilled when I was coming along, but what about when you initially found out with Sharon (my older sister)?
Your sister will enjoy that bit of sarcasm…. When I married your dad, the one thing we wanted was children. I sooooooo enjoyed being pregnant. You do know that it took 13 months for your sister to be born. Let me explain….Being young and naive, I had gotten pregnant and had lost a child BUT didn’t have a clue that I had and as young people, your dad and I just kept on “being married” and so we got pregnant again thus the 13 months. But I digress; love the idea of being a mom and all that would come later. Had I only known….told you I was young and naive…
David: What’s the craziest memory you have of raising children?
Cindy: I don’t have space for that answer, but I will give you a couple of examples: When you were very young, your dad and grandpa were building a fence and I thought it would be a good idea that you hang out with your dad. It had rained the night before and so he had you taking cans of water out of the holes he had dug and you were to throw it out in the field BUT you, not really wanting to be there, would take the water and put it in the next hole. It was hot and frustrating as your dad continued for several holes to get on his stomach and reach way in the hole to get the water out. And go to the next hole only to find huge amounts of water in there. Your grandpa just sat back and watched you do this for several holes laughing so hard that your dad asked what was wrong. When told what was going on, I don’t know if you remember the reaction of your dad, but let’s just say you didn’t have to help him get water out of the holes again.
Another adventure of raising you and Sharon were when any of your cousins were around, things always got a bit hairy. When you and Shell were little, you both had gone into the hayloft to play. The loft was full of fresh cut and put up hay and you guys decided that you needed the hay as a jump site to the ground. You guys took lots of the hay and tossed it out the back of the barn and then jumped out the barn onto the hay. Lots of hay damage but you guys sure did have a good time jumping out of that barn. Again, let’s just say you kept your dad learning patience with each adventure you guys took.
One last story, when you and Sharon were sick and I was working, your dad stayed inside to take care of you both. I always wondered why he didn’t mind watching you because you were always sleeping and very quiet until I found out that he misread the medicine bottle and was giving you 1 TBL instead of 1 tsp. Maybe he was getting you back for all the pranks pulled on him when you were young…..
David: What is the greatest joy of being a mom?
Cindy: It has been a joy to see you and Sharon grow from tiny dependent babies to grown independent adults, even with all the things life can throw at you. Life hasn’t always been easy but we have managed because we are a family that cares for each other. Seeing you and Sharon care about each other no matter what, to be there for each other, having each others back means more to me than you will ever know. It’s been a wild ride with you two!!!
David: How about the biggest aggravation?
Cindy: Well…not enough space. It’s all just part of being a mom.
David: What advice do you give to the mom’s raising children out there today?
Cindy: That’s hard to say, because kids and circumstances are different from when you were small, but I guess the simple answer is not to compare one child to the other. Let your children be themselves, don’t try to live your dreams through them, but let them decide what they want to do and hang on for the ride because it will be a loop d loop one. And most of all love your children no matter what.
From my own experience parents and children raise each other because it is a learning experience for all involved. There are successes and failures each and every day. But it can be accomplished if you can see the big picture of maturing your children into the adults that can decide whether or not to put you in an old folks home when you get old. (laughs) Love you Dave.
My mom acting goofing with my niece Chasity
David: Never fear, I won’t put you in an old folk’s home (yet)…just kidding. I love you mom and as always I hope you have a great Mom’s Day!..and no gifts until Sunday!
And Happy Mother’s Day to all the mom’s out there!
