Fancy as a Momma...

I tell my sister, Caitlyn, that we found her in a trashcan when she was a little girl with one of those, "My name is," stickers that read, 'Fancy,' which was the title of her favorite song. Of course, we never found Caitlyn in a trashcan; she was born right here in Bamberg, on April 25, 1990. From that point on, it was Mallory and Caitlyn. If it was a date, a sleepover, a dance--it was the two of us.

We weren't always so close, and we did have our share of fights. One time I remember putting her dog in the fireplace. Now, before anyone jumps to conclusions, the door was open and the fireplace had never been used, therefore the dog was NOT in any harm. Caitlyn thought otherwise and ended up grabbing my pony tail and pulling me across the living room floor. It was not a good afternoon for either of us.

Caitlyn lives in the upstate with her husband, Daron and her two boys, Michael (3) and Kory (1). I get to see her almost every other weekend when she comes down to visit. But it's not nearly enough. I miss being around the laid back, silly yet mature, and just downright coolest person I know. She works hard at everything, she will tell you if she hates or loves you the moment she meets you, and she will give anyone help if its needed. She also happens to be one of the best mommas I have ever known.

I often find myself thinking about how she would handle situations I encounter. For example when I was in the store recently, I saw a mother with her son. He was a very small child and could not have been more than three years old. He was crying and she was yelling and cursing at him.

When Michael and Kory get upset, Caitlyn talks with them, not at them, until the problem is resolved. She encourages her children to use their own imagination and to be their own person. She lets them play ball in the house, get dirty, and help her do chores and cook. She understands the importance of showing love to her family, and not speaking to them in disrespectful tones.

There are times when I lose my patience, but when I get like that, I think of Caitlyn and how calm she can be when the kids are crying, supper is burning, something just broke in the bathroom, the dog is running in circles below her feet, and Daron is on the way out to a fire call. But no matter what is going on, no matter how many dishes are in the sink or how many loads of laundry need to be done, she shows those boys, all three of them, just how much she loves them. And at the end of every day, that's what's important.