Happy Mother's Day, Mom!

Mom with her four favorite kids!

May 2008

A local radio station had a weekly contest for the "Hardest Working Woman in the 4-States." I wrote this essay about my mom and submitted it. I think it was about the time they discontinued it--maybe she blew the competition away...Anyway, I really do think she is the hardest working woman around--and here is why:

Ruth is the hardest working woman I know. She gives tirelessly or her time, her knowledge, her finances and herself. Here are just a few ways:
1) Her parents are living with her right now due to some recent major health issues. Since Ruth is a nurse, she helps with a lot of her mother's personal care and helps co-ordinate her medical care. This means getting up early to bathe and dress her mother before going to her full-time job. It also means countless phone calls back and forth with physicians's office's and keeping the rest of the family informed.
2) She works full-time for schools from Labette County to the Missouri line. She oversees the care of children with special needs. She assesses what they need to progress, she obtains the equipment and trains the staff for it.
3) She has a 17 year old son at home and three adult children who all live out of state. She is available to help any of them at a moment's notice. When there is a major event going on--someone is having a baby or moving or just needs some TLC, Ruth is there. Her days off are used for her family, rarely for herself.
4) Ruth has a vast knowledge of medical resources available for everyone, but especially children. People frequently call her on her own time to ask about obtaining medical care for various conditions or illnesses. She is never too busy to share information with them.
5) Ruth and her husband have a big house and frequently have someone in need come stay with them for a few days, weeks or even months. These people are usually going through a personal crisis and will require a lot of support emotionally, financially, and sometimes medically. Ruth never hesitates to share her beautiful home.
6) One of Ruth's few leisure activities is shopping. Even then, she rarely buys for herself. She makes note of what others are needing and shops for fantastic bargains. She loves to find a great buy on something that just fits what someone needs. She gives just for the sheer pleasure of giving.
How do I know all this about Ruth? Because I have seen it first hand. I am her daughter and have benefitted from her generosity many times. I am proud to call her Mom and I believe she is the hardest working woman in the Four-States!