How do you do? I am WENDI SUE!!!

Tuesday Tell All

This was the challenge for today: Is there a story behind your name? How did you pick the names of your children? This is your chance to document it.

Well, here goes nothing.

I am Wendi.

Wendi with an "i".

I love that.

When I got married I dropped my middle name.

Not legally.

Just stopped using it.

Period.

My middle name is Sue.

That is right.

Wendi Sue.

Southern enough for you?

My thinking is...that is why I kind of "lost" that part of my name. After this assignment, I may have everything I own monogrammed to include "Sue".

Why you ask? Sue was my mother's middle name. MY MOTHER. She chose to give me a part of her name. This wonderful woman who tried to have a baby for 6 years. This incredible woman who wanted children so badly that she applied for adoption. This exemplary woman who upon completing the adoption papers found out that she was pregnant. With me. Up until this very moment I have questioned the decision to call me Wendi Sue. At this very moment all I can think of is how incredibly lucky I am to have my mom's name.

A name she must have thought of for six grueling years. A name she must have planned for. A name she must have written on paper in her own hand a dozen times. A name she must have been so excited to share and give. A name I completely took for granted until now. Thirty-seven years later.

My mom is truly the best mom in the world. She would do anything for any of her four children, four in-laws, and five grandchildren. I believe that. She is the most giving soul I know. This is the same mom I remember making Halloween treats to GIVE the neighbors. We were not allowed to "beg" for candy. We took baked goodies to others instead. She could always be found serving others and always putting herself last. She still does. I could write a book on all the things she has done for me and my family. I could write yet another on all the things she has done for others. I can only hope that I love and serve as she has.

She has other fine qualities too. She is a fabulous wife to my father. She still treats him like they have only been married a few years. I still see her eyes light up when he walks in a room or when he stands to speak. Cute- huh?

She is a superb cook. She does not use her culinary skills like she once did, but she can still make a mean carrot cake.(my personal favorite)

She is the cleanest, neatest, most organized woman I know. I have tried, without success, to be like her in this area. My spices are alphabetized. My pantry is so organized and rotated and labeled it would make you sick. That is all thanks to my mom. I use a lot of bleach and scrub and clean things like nobodies business. However, when she comes to visit...she can always find something I did not clean quite enough .(Meaning I haven't found a way to incorporate q-tips, cotton balls, or toothpicks to get in the "grooves" of things) Thus, we fondly refer to her as the "Clorox Queen". ( When are you coming for another visit MOM?)

I am going to stand a little straighter and pronounce my name a little louder from now on. I am not going to leave my middle name off documents or my drivers license. I have a first and middle name. I am proud of them. I am proud of the great mother that shared her beautiful name with me. Thanks Mom...I love you!

(note to self: get a better photo taken with my mom!)