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momstown is thanking our moms for all the world to see, right here on momstown moments for Mother's Day. Every Sunda until Mother's Day watch for a new Mother's Day focused post.
We're tying in our thanks for the six weeks leading up to Mother's Day with our six program pillars, because we realize how much our moms really were our first early educators, and we want their lessons and gifts to live on.
We also want to hea
r from you! Share your 'moment of thanks' for your mom right here, and there's a $100 Indigo gift card up for grabs for one lucky commenter. All you need to do is comment on this blog with your thanks to your mom, and be sure to include your email address in your profile so we can get in touch with you. There is one gift card up for grab each week, so keep checking back to enter again.
Kicking it off this week is Ally @momstownteach. She's one of our crafty and musical mamas and her thanks to her mom this week is all about Art & Music. Here's her story:
Since I'm talking about music, I thought it only fitting that I start my thanks off with a short video of my five-year-old playing the piano:
How does this relate to thanking my mother? Well, I probably wouldn't have started my kids in piano this year had I not had such a positive experience with music myself.
I remember being six years old when a baby grand piano was wheeled into the living room. It must have been just after school because I remember standing back in awe of its size and shininess. I was told I couldn't touch it until my father got home. He was the piano player in the family, and it was his influence that brought the piano into our house.
Very shortly after, I was signed up for piano lessons and never looked back. My mother was the main caregiver in our house, and it was through her influence that I learned to really love playing. Was it because of rounds of practice time or a strict playing schedule?
No. In fact, the exact opposite.
My mom told me when I first started playing, that she was never going to insist or ask that I practice. She told me that each week, when I returned to my teacher's home for my lesson, I would be as prepared as I let myself be. It was up to me.
I really didn't like that approach, to be honest. I wanted to be 'told' and 'have' to practice. But my mom was teaching me an entirely different skill than playing piano. She was teaching me independence and responsibility, and having to own up if I didn't practice - it was all on my shoulders.
I was the only sister who got piano lessons in our house. My younger sister didn't play. This was a conscious decision on my parents' part. Her accomplishments in competitive gymnastics took up much of her time, and my mom felt like I needed to have something 'of my own' to be proud of.
And I thank her for it.
I also thank her for giving me the confidence to perform in piano recitals and festivals, and for making me feel like they were just as important as my sister's competitive gymnastics meets.
I thank her for always taking me downtown to the Royal Conservatory for my exams. I was so nervous but she always made it a special day for just the two of us.
I thank her for encouraging me to teach the neighbourhood kids - talk about a lucrative part-time job for a highschooler!
I thank her for telling me to keep at it and play in the school talent shows - where I got to accompany a now-famous Canadian singer. My piano playing also landed me a job as a waitress one summer, at a Dirty-Dancing style summer lodge where one's ability to perform in the staff variety show was higher on the resume checklist than any experience waiting tables!
And I thank her for making sure I had a piano to play when I moved to my first home. It's a bit out of tune now, but my boys are plunking out Row, Row, Row your boat and many of the same beginner songs I learned, in their first year of lessons.
Will they both continue and play their entire lives? It will be up to them. I really hope one of them will catch the bug, but I'm trying to be like my mom and take a gentle, hands-off approach so if they embrace it, it will be something they feel is truly their decision.
So, thanks, mom. I know you never played a note in your life but you made it possible for me to have the joy of playing throughout mine. XO XO.
Did your mom play a key role in your love of Art & Music? Comment here!
Tue, 10/30/2012 - 09:28 Your blogs are very helpful and informative. but really good topic chosen by you. I need to spend some time for learning or understanding more. Thanks for magnificent information that I was looking for for my mission. It is really beneficial and rewarding for me to come across such a website that is full of relevant information that I needed.
Thu, 05/03/2012 - 22:28 Thanks Mom, for your patience & understanding. I don't think I was the easiest of teenagers...especially once I headed off to university and pretty much wasted 4 years of my life, and your hard-earned money. Despite that, you stood by me as I turned my life around and made a success of myself. You never wavered. I love you.
Tue, 04/24/2012 - 10:01 I thank my mom for all of our shopping trips that resulted in nothing purchased; but, a whole lot of fun and bonding. Two or three times a year we would drive to Yorkdale Mall to jump on a subway to the Eaton Centre where we would spend the entire day. We would have lunch at Lime Ricky's and wonder around the enormous stores. We often stopped in Eaton's and would head for the hat department where we would become totally goofy trying on hats and crying with laughter at each other. We often came home with very little in terms of purchases. Maybe a Christmas or birthday gift here and there; but, those memories have lasted a lifetime. It's also given me the knowledge that it's okay to be a goof and play with my kid. I don't have to be in mom-mode 24/7 - 365. I can let down my hair and get crazy with my kids and show them that life is about the little things. Thanks Mom!
Tue, 04/10/2012 - 10:59 The week of April 9th's contest is on our latest 'thank you mom' blog on literacy: http://momstown-moments.momstown.ca/node/426 The winner of the April 2nd week contest is Marjori! Marjori, please contact us at info@momstown.ca
Tue, 04/10/2012 - 07:02 I am thankful for my Mom's unstoppable support and help with my Son Callum. My husband is a police officer and I'm a civilian for the same service and we both work shift work. Daycare wasn't an option for us with our schedules, so my Mom decided to retire to watch our son. After about 8 months of her commuting back and fourth from Etobicoke to Milton, we started looking for a new home in Oakville with an inlaw suite for my Mom. We found our dream home by the lake and she agreed to move in with us! I have been lucky enough to find a position that allows me to work straight days but I'm still out of the house at 6am, which means my mom is up long before that to get prepared for her day. My mom rarely even gets a weekend off because she is usually taking my son our for a walk or trip to the park so that I can get things done around the house while my hubby is working. My husband and I couldn't do what we do if we didn't have my Mom, she's an integral part of our family and our household and she is my 2 year old son's best friend. I'm so thankful that she agreed to be our daycare and even more so that she moved into our house to be there 24/7 to help us when we need it! She's the best!
Mon, 04/09/2012 - 02:48 I am thankful for the support that my Mum has shown to my sister and my niece. My sister is a recovering addict and there are a lot of people who have 'written her off' or are very angry with her over the pain she has caused her family (and I will admit, I am in the second category). But my Mum has been there whenever she is needed, no matter what hurt has come before. If it were only my sister involved, I would have a different opinion - but there is also her 3 year old daughter. My Mum has been there to help take care of that little girl when my sister needed help. If my niece didn't have her 'Gran' then her world would look very different. So, even though my sister and I have our own issues to work through... I am so very thankful that my Mum continues to be there for her, and for my niece.
Mon, 04/09/2012 - 00:58 My mom raised myself and 3 siblings, while putting herself through nursing school. Ever since I can remember, we were going to church and enjoying the gift of music that comes with that. Myself and two sisters were often asked to be the "special music" during the service. It was such an honor, and even more when one of the schoolteachers would write orignial songs and play guitar while we sang. Finances were tight, but my mom found the time and money to pay for piano lessons. We didn't have one of our own, but right next door at my grandma's house was a beautiful piano to practice on. My mom kept supporting me until I decided I no longer wanted to continue with piano lessons, but I did continue my passion for singing thanks to her encouragement. In high school I sang with the choir, even getting a solo for one concert. In the years to come, I sang at the weddings of family and friends, and even at my dear grandpa's funeral. And now, because of such a loving and supportive mom, who introduced me to the wonderful gift of singing in church, in celebration, in remembrance, I continue with that gift today as the Red Deer Rebels Anthemnist. Going into my seventh season this year, I still get nervous when my mom comes to watch. Seeing her proud face, gives me butterflies even now.
Sun, 04/08/2012 - 21:44 I am thankful my mom had thought ahead while she was sick,and had some nice pictures of her alone,and her with us.I was 8 when she died,and if I didn't have the pics,im not sure I would remember her face...she played the guitar and I picked it up late teen years,glad to share a love for it as well:)
Sun, 04/08/2012 - 19:52 I'm thankful that my Mom raised me to be a strong independent woman. She died last year when I was 25 and I don't think I could have gotten through that if she hadn't made me who I am. I miss her so much but am thankful that I had her for 25 years.
Sun, 04/08/2012 - 19:50 Post continued (iPad troubles) She has always supported me through every audition, concert, even lessons. Now that I am a Suzuki teacher myself, she supports me and cares about how my students are doing. If one finally conquers a technique or piece they've been working on, she gets just as excited as I do.