The Mother Shipp

I just want to tell you all a little about my mother, my sweet, perfect little mom Sommer!

She is everything wonderful and beautiful. She is the most amazing woman I have ever known, probably the most amazing woman a lot of people have ever know, and she doesn't even know it.

If you know my mom, you know she is the worlds BIGGEST worry wart. And i mean it. She worries about us going up the stairs because we might trip. One time last year, she texted me and said, Autty it's supposed to be really windy tomorrow in Salt Lake so be really careful and try not to go outside if you don't have to. And that is just typical. But that is why we all love her. SHE CARES SO MUCH. Like, so much. I know her every thought of every day consists of us kids, and worrying about us. And of course sometimes we get frustrated but really, how dang lucky are we that we have a mom who cares so much, and just wants us to be safe and okay?

My mom loves all of us, obviously, and me and her have such a special relationship. She is my best friend. And i know I'm hers. Not a day goes by that she doesn't tell me she loves me 1000 times. She is hilarious, sweet, a little bit of an airhead but that's okay, caring, compassionate, protective, spiritual, strong...oh so strong, courageous, hard working and so much more. She is super mom. My role model. My rock.

But her and Britt had something really special. When my mom was about my age, she lost her only brother, Adam, to cancer. I cannot imagine the pain, and sorrow she felt and went through. They were really close, i know that. From the way she talks about him still to this day, i can feel the love she has for him. She told me once that Britton reminded her so much of Adam. My brothers full name is actually Britton Adam Shipp. I know my mom has seen her brother in him, since the day he was born. She says they are just a like, soft-spoken, even tempered and to themselves, but so sweet and kind. I think my moms relationship with my brother is so extra special because of that. She loves that boy, Britt. She would go to the ends of the earth to make him happy and give him everything he wants and needs. We always used to give her crap, because she really does baby him, and gives him everything he wants, and caters to his every need. Rubbing his feet at night, putting icy hot all over his body after a game, massaging his head when he has a headache, taking him to the doctor when my dad says rub some dirt on it, buying him every chain on the internet until he got one he was happy with, letting him take her credit card and fill up his gas tank even though it was 3/4 full still. She would always call me worried about him and school if he wasn't doing well in a class, crying asking me what she can do to help him in chemistry because it was hard for him and he wasn't getting it. Calling me and telling me she was worried for him and his confidence when he'd have a bad game. Or calling me and telling me she felt so bad for him because he has been concerned about his size and height and she would do anything to help him and make him happy. Let's be honest, 80% of our phone calls were about my brother, because she cares so much about him, and if he isn't happy, she isn't happy, and if he is sad, she is sad. And Britton loves my mom. He loves her so much. He knows he can go to her for anything and everything. For help, for support, for comfort, for strength, for a good laugh. And especially when we are in trouble, we go to my mom because we know she forgives easily, and she can't stay mad at us.  for 5 minutes at a time.

She sits by his bed and holds his hand all day. Reading to him, talking to him, in her sweet, soft voice. Telling her she loves him over and over and over again. Telling her how proud she is of him over and over and over again. Telling him he needs to wake up, so they can go wash his truck together again, and so she can make him hot cocoa and cookies for breakfast every morning again because she misses it.

My mom is so strong. When this all happened, the first thing that came to my mind, is my sweet mom. This is her worst nightmare, her biggest fear, as it is every mothers. But i was worried for her and how she would handle it. She has been nothing short of amazing though it all so far. She had to be the rock for her parents when her brother was passing away, and now i will be the rock for her as we face this trial with our sweet Britt. She has been plenty strong, her entire life, and she continues to be. It amazes me to see her grace, and love, and faith. I cant imagine being in her shoes. It's hard enough as a sister. She still manages to smile and laugh with that million dollar smile of hers. I admire her. I look up to her. She is the perfect example of a friend, a wife, a sister, a daughter....but most of all a mother.

(She had to look up the word Benevolent)