My Three Moms
I know it’s a little late, but we got back late last night, and I didn’t get time to write this until now. So, with that said, here’s a tribute to my three moms.
Deb “The People Pleaser” Jansen has been my mom for the past 29 years. She’s wiped my ass, carted me from one important event in my childhood to another, supplied me with food in my poorer college days, supported me emotionally in some of the most difficult times in my life…in short, she’s always been there for me. I cannot ever remember a time she has deserted me, whether I needed her help or not. I’ve realized over the years that one of the things she’s provided me was never-ending support. If there was ever a time I needed some advice in which I already knew the answer but doubted myself, all I had to do was call her up and she’d nudge me in the right direction. She represents the true epitome of unconditional love. She takes more pride in and gives more dedication to her family than I have ever seen displayed by another person. She loves her new grandson, and seeing her face light up when she sees him gives me total and complete joy. She’s never divulged this to me, but she quit smoking for Colton, I’d bet the farm on that, and to have my mom healthy, happy, and hopefully with us for lot longer, I am grateful. For all these reasons, she is the best mom I could have asked for.
Carol “The Hip Nana” Hillmann has been my mother-in-law for the past 3.5 years. She’s wiped my…plate when I pick the onions out of her amazing food, carted herself to and from her house two days a week to watch her grandson out of the kindness of her heart, supplied me with some pretty awesome meals during my time with Cindy, and has also accepted me 100% for who I am, even though I come from a different place in some of my beliefs. Most people would be satisfied with being able to tolerate their mother-in-law. I simply adore mine. She’s definitely hip, that’s no joke. She’s got a wonderful sense of humor, is a fantastic mother to her children, whom I feel she has also dedicated her life to. She makes the effort to come to TurdFest every year because she knows it’s important to me (plus, let’s face it, she likes to drink and get silly with my friends and family). I owe the best of my wardrobe to her (I can’t blame the “I Have Gas” t-shirt on her) as she has a knack for picking out some pimpin’ work clothes for me. And, even though she’s a registered republican, she can still speak rationally and candidly about politics, and we even agree on some things. For all these things, I’m glad to have her in my life.
Cindy “The Trophy Wife” Jansen has been my wife for the past 3.5 years. She’s dealt with my messy habits, my addiction to all things geeky, put up with my sometimes shocking sense of humor and/or gaseous emissions, and has given me more laughs and good times than I’ve had with anyone. She’s 100% dedicated to our marriage, and works her tail off to do her part to make our marriage work. She’s a wonderful mom to our son, does more than her fair share to keep our house in order, and deserves my utmost appreciation for all that she does. We come from such different family backgrounds politically, spiritually, and otherwise, yet we connect so well. She balances me out, and makes me feel like a king. She’s dealt with my obsession to Tecmo Super Bowl and other video games, and even hopped in on some of the video game action herself. I’d say I married my perfect match, and I’m lucky to have such a great person to spend my life with.
So, I know it’s a little late, but happy mother’s day to my three moms!
Love,
Travis and Colton
