Tuesday, March 11, 2008

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!)

13 comments:

Lyla And Company! said...

It is amazing how when we finally grow up and become moms, do we realize how truly incredible our moms really are! I too love you're mom, she is beautiful inside and out and she has always been a great example to me. She is such a true, classy lady too! an art I think that is slowly dying in todays society! (being a true classy lady that is)!

leah said...

You've done it again! Rainin' faces everywhere!

God bless your mother. She done good (as my Pa would say)!

stephanie howard said...

What a wonderful story behind your name! Thank you for sharing, now that I am a little choked up I will always think of your amazing Mother when I hear the name Sue. I always knew your name, and new it was a break off of your mom's name. However there was so much more to the name then that. It's really is funny how the older we get our mothers can become one of our dearest friends. I find myself daily calling me mother to tell her thank you for all the good she has done. I understand her more, even if we don't agree on something I can actually understand her feelings and have come to the point that it is ok that we may not think the same on everything. Where would we be without our Mothers?

Anonymous said...

You know that I am not close to my own mom. Reading this sweet post has made me tear up a little. You are very lucky to have such a wonderful mom, and she is very lucky to have such a wonderful daughter.
Thanks for sharing this!!
XOXO

Susan Hancock said...

Wendi!! I love it. Purely wonderful. It is a "worthy of all acceptation" tribute to a beautiful woman. I am so thankful for women like Susie Stainback.

You, little mama, are a great writer. I loved visiting with your blog today.

Emy5 said...

Wendi, whay a lovely tribute to your mom and what a sweet daughter you are to her!

Wendi said...

I LOVE your name!

Katie said...

What a sweet tribute to your mom. Chad and I spent a lot of time talking with your parents at Grandpa Reese's funeral this summer. They are both so wonderful, and I have to say, your mother really is lovely!

Amy said...

Hi Wendi! I love your name, always have. I love the i, too! I always wanted my name to be spelled with an i. I found your post via Ashley's blog and find it absolutely hilarious! I just started my own, and pay tribute to you in the very 1st one! Check it out....amydeaver.blogspot.com. Miss you guys! Saw Claire a few weeks ago, she's so sweet. She came up and gave us a hug. Talk to you soon! Amy

Carrie and Troy Keiser said...

What a wonderful tribute post to your mother and her name!

Unknown said...

She gone done some good in her life, that mama of yours. Sorry. I don't speak southern. Just hick. :-)

Anonymous said...

Wendi with an "i",

You have hit the nail on the head as to two things; loving and appreciating our moms more every day and honoring a truly deserving woman; I, too, am a Susie-Wendi fan! Maybe you'd better make an appointment with Grandpa Doc so you can better see how very much you are like your mother in serving others! The apple didn't fall very far from the tree here!
Love ya'll,

Snowbird

OHmommy said...

I still see her eyes light up when he walks in a room or when he stands to speak. Cute- huh?


YES!!!!!!!! So cute.

And so are you guys in that picture. So cute!