My mom is a follower of my page, now I have to behave...

It's funny how all my life my mom has always said, "Sorry Honey, you got your mom's big butt and big legs, it runs in our family you know." In the dressing rooms she'd always rant off with, "You know, we are just big boned!" Summer time on the beach when every skinny girl in a bikini walked by she'd say, "We sure didn't get those long, lean legs." All my life it seems she's always been so apologetic of what she thought she gave me. Like she always felt she genetically let me down or chromosonially crashed during takeoff. I never got it? Either way, she always felt the need to let me know she was sorry for her uncontrolable link in our "misfortunes".

This past December, my mom drove all the way to Alabama from Missouri, ALONE, in the rain, all night, up hill both ways barefoot, just to watch me lift for the first time ever at American Opens. She tagged along with Coach the whole time making sure she knew everything there was to know about weightlifting in that short weekend. She asked every question in the book, questioned every answer, and then at times still didn't get it. She followed me back into the warm up area, carefully stalking my competition worse than I was I think. She was paparazzi like I was Paris Hilton. All the things I've done in my life and she was just as excited for me that day as if it was a first tee ball game where half the kids on the team still run to third after they hit the ball. She was proud and I was happy to make her that way.

As time came closer to me lifting she, being great mother she is, sensed that nerves were starting to set in. I wasn't sure what was about to happen on that stage. I'd watched person after person go up and miss lifts....suddenly my openers felt too high. My legs felt too weak. My head felt a blur. She might not have known all the rules and regulations of weightlifting, she might not have understood attempts and openers, but she did understand me. Before I walked up on the stage at my first national event ever she hugged me, kissed me on the forehead, and said, "Just do what everybody here already knows you can do, don't think about it, and have fun. No matter what happens, I will always be proud of you." And I did just that.

After walking off that stage for the last time that weekend wearing a medal around my neck I hugged my mom. She immediately hugged back and then slapped my butt with one of those after football games in the locker room victory guy on guy kind of butt slaps and said with a smile...."Your mama gave ya that BUTT!" and for the first time ever I saw a little pep in her step, a little more "yeah baby" in her smile, and lot more swing in that tail feather. I think she was proud knowing and finally understanding that without her I would never be the person I am today, butt and all. My Mama is my best friend, my role model, and my biggest fan. There has never been a day in my life that I have been ashamed of anything she's ever given me both inside and out. She has taught me to be a great person and by learning from her I've become a terrific mother. She has taught me how to love, laugh, and live life to the fullest.

I know I tell you all the time but it's never enough, Mom, I love you, I miss you, and I thank you for everything! You are beautiful inside and out and the most amazing woman I've ever met! Oh, and I'll see you in March at Nationals!! Xoxoxoxo Linds