Mother’s Day is a holiday we celebrate and give thanks to the woman/women in our lives who have, in many circumstances, had more to do with who we are than any other individual. For those of us who are mothers, it’s also a day we reflect on how we feel we have done as mothers. Did we say the right things and teach the right lessons? How much of what we said and did really had an impact on our children?

My mother, Carolyn Parker, more affectionately known by her children as “Momsie,” has had a profound effect on who I am today. I am thankful and grateful for her love, guidance and support.

My mother married at the early age of 16 and brought me into the world at 17. My brothers and sisters quickly followed suit bringing the total to six — three girls and three boys. As if my mom didn’t have enough to do with her own brood, she also raised my cousin Debbie Sue. We didn’t have a lot of money, but we never went without any of the things that were actually important in life. We were loved and encouraged to follow our dreams. We were taught to be honest, respectful and to work hard. Life wasn’t perfect, but we sure had some fun times!

As a young child, I was an extrovert, wanting to be the star of the show — any show. Give me a stage, an audience, any passerby paying attention and I was in my element. I loved to stand on my head, throw myself around and do cartwheels everywhere! Instead of getting annoyed with me my mom decided gymnastics lessons were in order.

My mom spent hours in the family living room teaching me how to do a Valdez. She didn’t know anything about gymnastics, so she talked to my coach and got some quick lessons. Sitting in our living room, she had me sit with one leg stretched out in front, the other leg bent at the knee with my foot on the floor.

Thank you and Happy Mother’s Day to all the mothers out there.

Betty Ramsey is publisher of The K-V Dispatch. Her email address is Betty.Ramsey@KVDispatch.com.