By Anthony Welch

As we celebrate Mother’s Day this month, I’d like to take a second to thank my mom. Honoring her one day a year doesn’t even cover everything that she has done for me and my three siblings. She continues to spread that love and care to her seven grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

Music is huge in my life. After family, music is the next important thing that keeps me going. I can’t imagine a life without it. And I owe this to my mom. As a talented pianist/organist, she had us listening to music at an early age. She also had me playing piano in my early elementary school days. That led to my first stage appearance at age 8.

I have very fond memories of hanging out in our basement listening to my mom’s Beatles and Elvis Presley records. As I got a little older then came Van Halen, Ratt and Motley Crue. When I took an interest in playing percussion in middle school, my parents were quick to make sure I had a drum set, even before classes began.

Later when I was in high school, my parents never took an issue with me banging on my drums along with tapes and records … even though my room was right next to our living room. My mom has always been super supportive of my love for music. She’s attended at least one show by every band I’ve played in, even when it was “devil worship-sounding” heavy metal.

I have other nice memories of my mom taking us to the library to check out books. She was even supportive of me wanting to read Stephen King novels as an elementary student. The local bookmobile didn’t approve, however, as they once called my mom and asked me to return the King book “Carrie,” that I had checked out.

Even though I didn’t enjoy it all that much when we were kids, I’ve enjoyed one of my mom’s favorite past-times as I’ve gotten older – browsing thrift stores and flea markets. It’s something my wife and I do often.

I can’t even fathom raising four kids. While she downplays it these days, my mom did a great job of raising very kind, considerate and open-minded children. We all look out for one another and are still very close. I hope to pass down the same traits to my son.

Thank you, mom, for all that you have done.