The Fruits of Mom's Labor

It's only fitting that I should do this post on Labor Day. Those of you who know my mother know the kind of energy she has (and that we wish we had) and how she puts it to good use. She worked for 35 years as a hairdresser, all of it full-time. Since she owned her own shop, located at our house, she was always available to me as a mother.

Once she retired, she didn't let the grass grow under her feet. She learned to play golf and played it well. She rode GOBA (Great Ohio Bicycle Adventure), which is a seven-day ride, fifty miles each day. She also devoted more time to her gardening, which she's enjoyed all her life, and became a Master Gardener. She's done flowers for weddings, even catered a wedding reception, and is a certified floral judge.

This past week, her local newspaper featured her in their special insert, because of her public service, namely with the Children's Garden in Smiley Park in her hometown of Van Wert, Ohio. If you've ever been to the gardens, you may have seen her working there and you know it is a labor of love.

I've scanned the article from The Van Wert Times-Bulletin, so you can read it here. Usually a mother is proud of her kids or grandkids and wants to brag about them to others. Obversely, I'm proud of my mom, so I hope you'll allow me to brag about her.

Click on each photo to bring up a larger, readable version.

If you're ever in the area, you really should stop and see the Children's Garden, which is located in Smiley Park, across from the Van Wert airport, on West Leeson Avenue. If you happen to see my mom working there, say hello. She'd love that.