Mother’s Day is once again upon us this weekend. For many moms, this means getting special breakfasts in bed, carefully colored cards and other hand made gifts.

My sisters and I attempted breakfast in bed for my mom maybe once or twice. I give my mom a lot of credit for attempting to eat and enjoy whatever we had prepared.

As my sisters and I grew up, we switched from breakfast in bed to cards, flowers, and the occasional piece of jewelry. Now that my siblings and I are all grown up and scattered across the state, I consider the time I get to spend with my mom a gift.

The older I get, the more I value the time spent with my parents. Especially after my mom has gone through a series of surgeries, hospital stays and medical issues this year.

So in honor of my mom finally getting her health back and Mother’s Day Sunday, I’ve come up with the ten reasons I am thankful for my her.

1) She has sacrificed so much of her time (and many times her sanity for me). She has spent countless hours driving me to activities, caring for me and has lost more than a few nights of sleep staying up with my sisters and me when we were sick.

2) She put up with my sassy, teenage years, which if I am being totally honest, never truly ended. I think she knew how to handle my teenage years because if I am anything, I am my mother’s daughter. Needless to say this apple did not fall far from the tree.

3) She has been an amazing example of strength and pressing on in difficult situations, especially in the past seven months of health scares and surgeries.

4) She has shown me that it is possible to get through anything with the right mindset.

5) She has taught me not to let my emotions always get the best of me, which in my case, happens more often than I would like to admit.

6) She consistently echoes the importance of family. Thanks to my mom’s 13 uncles and aunts, I have hundreds of family members scattered across the United States and the world.

7) She gets straight to the point and never beats around the bush.

8) As an avid piano player, she accompanied me at countless singing competitions in junior high and high school. She also still selflessly serves by playing piano for church.

9) She makes the best Sunday dinners. My personal favorites being her chicken and rice dish and chili.

10) She has given me countless examples as to the kind of mother I aspire to be someday.

This year, I am simply grateful for more time with her and the ability to continue learning from the examples she sets for me daily.

Happy Mother’s Day to the women in our lives leading by example.