A post about my dad would be naturally followed up by one about my mom, right? Right.
I may have gotten my love of classic rock from my dad, and got my love of musicals from my mom. One of the first musicals I remember learning was CATS. We've gone to several together over the years, and these has a special place in my heart.
My mom taught me that sports weren't for guys only. My mom's love of sports and athleticism (even being a Badger State Games representative in her teens) attracted her to my dad. They have been long (loooooong) time Badger fans, and that has rubbed off of my sister and me. In 1993, the Badgers were playing Michigan State in Japan. My parents stayed up late (very late) to watch the game, knowing that the victory would send us to the Rose Bowl for the first time since the 60s. Sure enough, my mom excitedly came into my bedroom and woke me up exclaiming "We're going to the Rose Bowl!" while bouncing my bed.
As I noted in the post about my dad, we would often go along for a family vacation. This often resulted in adventures for Mom, Cassie and me as we explored while my dad was busy with convention stuff. One of the most memorable was when we were in Anaheim (in the mid 1990s). We were trying to find our way to a Hard Rock Cafe and somehow wound up in South Central LA shortly after the riots. Not the best place for three Midwestern gals to be, so we beat it out of there in a hurry! Or the time we were trying to get to another Hard Rock in California (hmmm... sensing a theme) and had to do a lot of creative driving to avoid roads washed out by El Nino rains. My mom was the one who put up with taking us to the theme parks, and I've learned never to pass up an opportunity to use a restroom if one's available from her!
Oh, the things I've learned from my mom. Like how to put out a sweet tailgating spread. The importance of buying things on sale (and justifying the purchase). Saving certain food items (namely, Mint Milanos) for "vacation food" to make them more special in the long run. To always have a Plan B. That money is better spent on memories than things.
Through the years, my parents have been my main support system. When I was in college and stressing over an exam, even though I knew what she would say, it always comforted me to hear my mom tell me "You'll do just fine." :o)
