A Special Request for a Special Mom

I am an only child. My parents never adopted. My mother lost both her parents and keeps her arms open for her brothers and sisters and their kids, but she never had another child after me. She gave birth to me in 1978 and I had a birth defect, severe Craniosynostis. I was a bit much to handle financially and emotionally. My mother tells the story of not knowing if I would be brain damaged, taking me to skull surgery at 6-days-old, and waiting for my hair to grow and reach my ears. She’s a good mom.

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My parents are both top-notch folks. But it is nearly Mother’s Day and I have to give out some love to one very special lady. And I need your help.

I realized something last week that has taken nearly 35 years to realize: No one will ever have My Mom as a mother except for me. 

You may have a great mom. She might be there next to you. She might be oceans away. She might be loving you from above.

But today I am offering you a most unique opportunity: Being a child of my mother for the week. I wonder if we can get her hundreds of children this week, of all ages, nationalities and backgrounds!

 

Now if you are going to be my mother’s kid, even for a week, you should know a little about her.

  • She loves Nascar (Jr. in particular) and gardening in the backyard when she can feel her fingers (see below).
  • Her favorite color is green. She likes decorating the house for Christmas.
  • She is Lutheran but keeps faith private.
  • She used to be a bowler and go to heavy rock concerts in the 70s.

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  • I consider her background somewhat hippie, making her own mini skirts and cavorting with soldier friends serving in Vietnam.
  • She has been battling breast cancer and heart issues since September. The neuropathy is bad right now, so her fingers are often numb and her feet hurt and swell, making it very difficult to walk.
  • She is having a double mastectomy one week from today.
  • She doesn’t like putting herself first or exercising, but she’s trying her best to turn that around.
  • She has never taken a sip of alcohol or smoked a single thing in her life.
  • She recently celebrated a 40th wedding anniversary with my dad.
  • She is shorter than me.
  • She is smart.
  • Her daily positive humor is something we should all aspire to.
  • She is hilarious.

Isn’t she awesome?

Now, if you want to be one of my mom’s kids for the week, please send her a Mother’s Day greeting in the comment section below.

But sorry… After Mother’s Day next week, she’s all mine again.

Love you, Mom!

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32 Comments

  1. Jamie

    Happy Mother’s Day to the best mom ever! Hope you have a wonderful, green-filled day!!

  2. Stephanie

    Happy Mother’s Day!

  3. Tugba

    HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY! Hope your day is sunshine and flowers with happy thoughts to fill the house.
    My favorite color is Green too 🙂

  4. Sara

    Happy Mother’s Day, beautiful, strong mama!

  5. Nila

    Happy Mother’s Day Mrs. Lent!! Hope you have a wonderful week ahead 🙂 I pray that all your treatments go smoothly and successfully 🙂

  6. Patsy

    Happy Mother’s Day, Mrs. Lent! You are truly an amazing woman who raised an incredible daughter!

  7. Joe

    Happy Mother’s Day!

    Before you ask, the answer is yes. Sis did have to remind me to send greetings. I’m embarrassed but I think I am making progress, as I am pretty sure that I thought to think of it this year. Things are going pretty well in Chicago. The weather has finally broken, the sun is out, and the mood in the city is noticeably better. Bicycles and short pants everywhere you look. Thank goodness.

    I was surfing through the ESPN website and noticed that Jr is 4th in Sprint Cup points which must make you happy. He seems to be getting better and better. Hopefully no concussion this year. Those guys crash so often, it’s ridiculous. What do you think about all this business with Danica? The divorce and now this driver’s feud with what’s his name? I think the press pays her way too much attention.

    Congratulations to you and Dad! Did I send I card. I definitely thought to think about that one…

    And good luck with the surgery. I’m pulling hard for you. I know that you are strong and will continue to lay a hellacious beating on cancer. Here’s to a speedy recovery. I’ll be thinking about you a lot this week.

    Big love! I promise, Sis won’t have to remind me next year.
    Joe

  8. Ryan Lawrence

    Happy Mother’s Day Mrs. Lent! Anyone who raised Shawn deserves the mother of the year award! She is an amazing woman and I know you are too. Sending warm wishes your way!

    Ryan

  9. Julia Rae

    Happy Mother’s Day!

  10. Pamela Nonken

    Happy Mothers Day! I met your daughter at Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival when we worked there together. Shawn is the kind of person you never forget. She embodies so many of the things we all need in our fellow humans like compassion, humor, unconditional love. I am pleased to learn here that she was raised with hipppie heritage. Apparently you passed on all the right hippie influences.

    I was adopted before birth. I have no idea who I came from. At seven months old I had to have surgery to remove a tumor from my spine. This was the first of many tribulations that my adopted mom had to endure with me. Until I read Shawn’s blog I had no idea she had health issues as an infant too.

    My wish for you this Mother’s Day is that some time in the near future you will look back at this time in your life and think of what a miracle it is to be healed and well. That is how I see myself thanks to the mother who chose me and raised me.

    I will pray for your health, especially this week as you conquer this challenge.

  11. Bev

    I love your mom like a sister, known her for over 35 years and consider her a great friend and I am so proud of her dealing with her sickness. I pray for her daily and hope I’ve been supportive. I just love this mom for a week post, read every one of the replies and love you so much Shawn. You are a great kid and I know your mom is so proud of you. Just had to put this post in today.

  12. Heather Hornik

    Sometimes I wonder, how do you stand it, knowing your daughter is so far away and sometimes in dangerous places. Then I step back and realize that Shawn’s sense of adventure, her courage, her righteousness, her readiness to offer love and respect and dance must have been learned from you and her Dad. Happy Mother’s Day to you, Mrs. Lent. You raised an amazing daughter. I’m sure I would love to know you better!

  13. Kaili Salyers

    Have a beautiful inspiring love-filled Mother’s Day Sunday & beyond!!! Blessings, happiness, & strength abound!

  14. josephine and daniel

    Happy mothers day auntie Kay we love you.

  15. Grace Bower

    Dear Mum – that’s the Kiwi way to say it.
    First of all i am one daughter up on you – my twins are older than Shawn. And I am also one up bercause at the moment we are all on the same island (North Island of New Zealand) But it hasnb’t always been that way and it won’t always be that way so i know what it’s like to be apart. The other thing we are in this together is no grandchildren – yet?!? You never know what is going to happen so just wait and see.The lucky last thing is that November 6th 2012 I went in for hip replacement replacement surgery. It turned out they call it hip replacement revision and it turned out that not only was I off driving for three nmonths but off weightbearing too. So after six months I am ok with the driving and getting back to walking – and very thankful too. But my gift to you is to google 10,000 reasons by matt redman. It was my motto – to sing like never before and still be singing at the end of the day. It really helped me to go one day at a time. You know the phrase about new every morning – new mercoes i see… I’m sending heavy duty prayers for you and yours. Hugs and blessings for a special time and angels around you. Love from Grace

  16. Jo

    My mum passed away in 1996 will you please be my mum for a week

  17. Tammie Delles

    Dear Mom,

    Mother’s Day is around the corner and this year my resolution was to try and be on time–I know you don’t mind the Mother’s Day in August and the Christmas in July but let’s try and be “in the norm” for a bit, shall we? (Shh, I can hear you laughing now…)

    Seriously, you have touched many a life and formed many a spirit without so much as a backward glance sometimes at the seeds you have planted along the way. It’s quite the field of beauty by the way, full of many colors as your peeps have grown, each in their own way, at their own rate, some into magnificent trees, boughs spread wide and reaching for the sky….some into the most fantastic array of flowers, some into the thistles, and many into the soft and dewy carpet of grass beneath our feet. (Speaking of which, when are we going go for a walk, roll down a hill and watch the clouds pass by?–I was doing that with the girls the other day and we saw a turtle, a whale and Totoro!)

    Our Mother’s Day adventure is bowling this year (I’m not supposed to know this but you know how kids are–can never keep a secret!) –maybe I can get a strike! Wouldn’t they be so impressed??? Hasn’t happened yet but you never know. We won’t share our little story with them about the time I crossed the line and wiped out on the waxy lane-you and dad thought that was hilarious! Will keep you posted on how I do (LoL)

    Well, best get on with the day-there’s kids to feed and adventures to have! Kiss dad for me and be on the lookout for a gem from the Universe telling you how much I love you—could be the full moon, a shooting star for you to wish on, or a field of flowers out of the blue (Noooo, I’m not telling, you just have to wait and see—Sound familiar?? (yes, I am smirking now–I get my mischievous side from you , you know!)

    xoxo Tams

  18. Kaye

    Thanks to all my children for remembering me this year. I feel so much better knowing that I having such caring and wonderful kids. Maybe in this life I did a great thing. Love to all

    Kaye

  19. Michelle Vanstrom

    Happy Mother’s Day from Niagara Falls, NY.

  20. Christine Lucianek

    Happy Mother’s Day! I hope that today brings you hope, sunshine, and a few moments to feel the warmth of your garden. I know that you must be an amazing woman because you have raised a pretty incredible daughter. I look forward to reading Shawn’s blog posts because they inspire me to do and be better.

    Know that you are loved from near and far.

    Christine

  21. Paula J. Kelly

    Happy Mother’s Day! I hope your day is beautiful and you get to enjoy digging in the dirt of your garden. Celebrate being a wonderful mom.

  22. Lynne Adams

    Happiest of Mother’s Days to you!
    You’ve done an incredible job raising your daughter – she is one amazing firecracker, and all that love and caring you give her is a big part of who she is.
    Sending you love and good wishes for the challenges ahead. You’re not alone!
    From one mom to another,
    All the best!
    Hugs,
    Lynne

  23. Paula Kelso

    Hi there, beautiful mama!

    I’m wishing a wonderful Mother’s day to a mom who must be quite inspiring and amazing, as you’ve raised a daughter who is all those things.

    I met Shawn at Millikin where I had the good fortune to dance in a few of her awesomely choreographed pieces. I then transfered and danced at St. Louis Ballet, but I never forgot your daughter and then looked her up on FB some years later. She is an inspiration to many, including me.

    My favorite color is green. I’m also Lutheran. And my own parents recently celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary! My dad is a Vietnam Vet…and I turned out to be a little hippie too. 🙂

    I’m sending you lots of love and healing and comforting thoughts your way this Mother’s day, especially since Shawn will be abroad. You’re in my prayers.

    All the best!

    With great respect and love,
    Paula

  24. Jen Steele

    Hi Mrs. Lent! I was lucky enough to meet your amazing daughter in Jerusalem a few months ago. I have continued to be inspired by the contributions she is making to better humanity on a daily basis! Her adoration for you was clear then, as it is now. I can tell that you are one incredibly special lady and I wish you much joy as you celebrate the joy of being the wonderful mother I know you are. And don’t forget to put yourself first more often; you deserve it! Sending appreciation and strength, Jen

  25. kelly roe

    Happy Mothers Day to a strong, beautiful, inspiring mother! May your day be filled with sunshine, laughter, and most importantly……LOVE!

    XOXOXO

    Kelly Roe, Saginaw, MI

  26. Alex

    Happy mothers Day! Thank you for everything you have done. You are a very special mom 🙂

  27. Jason

    Happy Mother’s Day!! Have a wonderful day!
    Love from Chicago! Jason

  28. jenny

    Happy Mother’s Day! Thank you for giving the world the amazing gift that is Shawn. Sending you peace, strength, and much love this week and all weeks.

  29. Ginger

    Happy Mother’s Day, Mrs. Lent! Sending love and healing wishes from the Berkshires!

  30. Bonnie

    Dear mom,
    Sending you best wishes from Cairo Egypt from your Asian daughter!! 😉 Hope you are having the best day ever

  31. Kaili Salyers

    HAVE AN EXTRA SPECIAL DAY TODAY! HEALING THOUGHTS & SPEEDY RECOVERY TO YOU! XO, YOUR DAUGHTER FOR ONE LAST DAY ; ) KAILI

  32. Matti

    Wishing you a beautiful Mother’s Day from Chicago!

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