Day 180

On August 25th, 1946, a beautiful summer day in Cleveland, Paul and Grace Warren welcomed their first child into the world, Patricia Ann Warren. She was raised in the suburb of Shaker Heights, Ohio, went to the University of Wisconsin, and met a handsome young successful man she would eventually marry, Bobby Dery, in 1970. The next 34 years were as good as a wife and mother could have. Things over the past two years have not been the way she planned it, but nobody could have handled it as well as she has.

Today, my mother turns 60. I know that this big birthday for her has not been something she has been looking forward to, but she deserves a ton of credit. Nobody other than myself, Matt, and my father, saw how unbelievably strong she was when dad was sick. None of us expected the outcome that would eventually occur, but through it all, mom was the single best advocate that anyone could be for their spouse. Day in and day out, she was smiling, staying positive, and taking amazing care of my father. When he eventually passed away, the transition was tough for her, but I can honestly say I couldn't be any prouder of the way she handled herself. Even after being diagnosed with breast cancer a short 6 months later, she fought through it, did her treatments, and continued to live her life. I wish I had a dollar for everyone who has come up to me over the past year and a half and said "wow, your mom is pretty amazing, I don't know how she does it."

Growing up as her child was pretty great. I'm glad my dad was a big picture taker, because I have so many great shots of us when Matt and I were little. She was a big supporter and helper to me in my various endeavors as a kid. She was at all of my soccer games, tennis matches, and basketball games. In high school, dad traveled for work a lot of times and ended up missing a few of my best games. Mom was there with the camcorder (even though I still contend she didn't know how to use it) videotaping it for him. She was the only parent that would drive 45 minutes and sit in a rainstorm under an umbrella to watch me play. My favorite was that on Senior night for Basketball, I hit the infamous "three" and mom had the camcorder with her as dad was out of town. The next morning I said to her "how deep was that three I hit?" and she said "I didn't;t see you score any points, and I taped everytime you were on the court." She actually told dad on the phone after the game that I didn't score. Meanwhile, I hit what, at the time, was the biggest shot of the game in the last 4th quarter to take our first lead of the game.

Her golf game game is legendary around Cleveland and in our circle of friends nationwide. He classic "Hell-OH" phone answer is a staple. He smile is beautiful. Her attitude, while once being described my me as "the glass half-empty woman" has dramatically turned up beat. She knows that bad things happen to good people. We have to deal with it and move on; not dwell on them. She has definitely been hardened. She lost her father in her mid 20's. Her mother was never the same mentally after that and passed away when she was 43. Her husband of and best friend died and she battled breast cancer at age 58. But you know something, 99% of other people would have wilted under all of this. But not my mother. She is still playing golf, traveling, spending time with her grandchildren as much as she can, and exercising like a mad woman. She is strong in body and mind.

Living with her over the past 6 weeks, I have seen how independent she is, and you know something, she is doing pretty well all things considered. I have to thank her for taking Leah, Casey and I in for 7 weeks as we move into our house a week from today. For someone who has hated dogs her whole life, she has let Casey come right into the house and do whatever she pretty much pleases (other than go in her room!). I've got it pretty good in the mother department. Wherever you are today, drop her a phone message or email wishing her a happy 60th b-day. Mom - I respect and love you more than words can say. Have a great day.

Days Until we move into the House: 7
Song of the Day: "Give Thanks and Praise" by Sizzla