No matter how old you are, if you’re lucky enough to have a mama in your life, you know how important they are. For me, on the verge of my 49th year, being able to laugh with my mama and spend days out in the yard, watching her work her magic, is the best birthday gift ever. I know that many folks have already lost their mamas or didn’t have the opportunity to know them, so I am especially thankful that I have enjoyed so many years with mine.
We’ve had some amazing years, from the time when she took me to Great America for my eighth birthday and I got to experience room service for the first time, getting my chocolate milk and toast delivered right to our room, which was amazing, or to the adventures we had camping at Woodward Reservoir almost every weekend, swimming, dancing and loving life, she has been a source of strength, humor and support. We have had some tough years too, the year we lost my grandma, the year when we lost Papa Bear and my friend Angie within weeks of each other and other times when it seemed like life was just too much but as difficult as things have been at times, more often than not, we have found strength in each other and I am so grateful for that.
Speaking of mamas, I not only wanted to thank mine, but I wanted to thank the mamas of my tribe of friends, the Golden H’s. Without these mamas, I wouldn’t have the incredible tribe of friends that I have so I thought I would take a minute to thank them. Trish and I met some 40 years ago at Fair Oaks Elementary and we’ve been friends ever since. Trish is an enigma. She is a shelter from the storm. Present, poised and always there to lend a hand, to put others before herself, she is one of the best people I have ever known and I am so proud to have her as a member of my tribe. Trish’s mom, Joy, has been a source of comfort and well, joy, in my life. Joy introduced me to Cordon Bleu and some of the finer things in life. She was a presence in our classrooms in school where she always made the tastiest treats and the best crafts. She is a lady through and through and I am so very grateful that she is in my life but most of all I am so thankful that she brought Trish into this world and into my life.
Belinda, a wonderfully witty mama, knew my mama Sherri when they were younger, so I think it was destiny that brought Cortney and I together, knowing how much fun our mamas had as young girls. Cortney is full of life and levity and is a constant source of support when life feels overwhelming. Always there to share a laugh or make life a bit lighter and brighter, Cortney has showered me with kindness and devotion and I don’t know what I would do without her. Belinda is still so darn funny and she is filled with love and a smidge of mischief and I am forever in her debt for bringing Cort into this world.
Jill, my BFF from the Bay Area, introduced me to so many new things. Live 105, Izzy’s in Modesto and many, many other cool things and I can thank her mama Karen for that. Jill is in the know for music, for art, for fun places to hang out at and she always has been. She is so talented, so generous and I am so fortunate to have her in my life. Karen, also a cool cat, passed her style and her curiosity about the world around her on to Jill. Karen is the kind of cool mom that listens to all kinds of music, was “in” on the joke, including buying a blow up doll that looked like Wayne Newton for me on my birthday and she continues to share adventures with all of her kids, traveling around the world and cruising around the Bay with them and I wouldn’t know nearly as much about the world and all of its awesomeness without her and I thank her for bringing Jill to Oakdale and into my life.
Nancy, my friend Katie’s mama, is a force to be reckoned with. A mama to six, yes I said six, Nancy is filled with Irish wit and wisdom and could make anyone giggle uncontrollably. She is a small but mighty force and probably the wittiest gal I have ever met, a gift which she passed on to Katie as well. Katie is a little more reserved than some of my other friends but when she has something to say, it is always heartfelt and often makes you giggle until you tinkle. Just like Nancy, Katie is always there when you need her and always ready to provide a shoulder to lean on or a reason to smile and laugh until it hurts and I am forever in Nancy’s debt for bringing Katie into the world and sharing her with me.
Gayle, Christi’s mama, was always sweet to me and fun to be around. When we slept over at Gayle’s house, we got to sleep out on the deck under the stars and watch some Cheech and Chong movies, which were and still are pretty awesome. Christi has the best laugh ever and the best hair ever but more than that, she has been a faithful friend that has reminded me to find the humor in life again and again. Christi can take me back to a special moment or a shared joke with just a look and smile and to this day, every time I see her, I light up, thinking of the hijinks we got into over the years and I thank Gayle for sharing her compassionate nature and her sense of adventure with Christi and for bringing her bright, beautiful girl into my world.
For my friend Layne, even though her mama Joy is no longer with us, I am grateful to her as well. Joy reminded me that everyone is important and everyone matters. Layne and her family lived in a big, beautiful home and when I first became friends with her, I thought about our different upbringings, me with a single mom and her with a mom and dad and a different environment altogether but what I really appreciated about Layne’s mom Joy is that she never made me feel less than, not once. She reminded me that everyone is special and that we were all part of a bigger plan. Layne, needless to say, continues to demonstrate these sentiments again and again. She is so open, accepting and sincere and I am so thankful that her mama Joy and the whole family settled in Oakdale because knowing Layne and becoming her friend has been one of the greatest joys of my life.
Toni, Angie’s mama, was a little quiet and shy at times, from what I remember of her, much like Angie, but just like Angie, she could speak her mind if she had something to say. Angie inherited Toni’s big beautiful brown eyes and her demeanor and I admired Angie and her resolve. Though I didn’t get to know Toni very well before she passed away, I know she loved her girls and that she passed her love of family and her savvy sense of humor to Angie and I am so blessed that I got to know Angie and share some of the best times of my life with her before she passed. Angie gave the best side-eye of anyone I have ever known and it still makes me smile every time I think of her side-eyeing someone. Even though Angie lost Toni when we were pretty young, Coby and Lori, Angie’s aunts, and her Oma and Grandma, spent so much time with Angie, loving her, celebrating her and sharing life’s biggest moments and I am so glad that Angie was surrounded by so many mamas that cherished her as much as the rest of her tribe did; so, thank you Coby, Lori, Oma, Grandma and Toni.
To all of the mamas out there, Happy Mother’s Day and thank you for sharing your babies with their tribes of friends. We wouldn’t be here without you.
Kristi Mayfield is a staff reporter for The Oakdale Leader, The Escalon Times and The Riverbank News. She may be reached at kmayfield@oakdaleleader.com or by calling 209-847-3021.
