Not everyone was raised like you.”

(I know. Grammatically speaking, it should read, “Not everyone was raised as you … but why quibble?)

The fact is, I get that statement a lot. At first I wasn’t sure if it was meant to be flattering, but now I’m convinced it’s a compliment. Not everyone had the privileges I had, and while my parents worked as a team, this column is dedicated to my mother.

A mother is someone who enjoys her children and lets them know how much they’re treasured.

A mother is someone who sees that her children go to Sunday school and helps them memorize Bible verses that will stay with them for life (Proverbs 22:6).

A mother is someone who uses a kiss on your forehead to test your temperature, and, when you’re sick, she cuts your toast into triangles and serves it to you with flat ginger ale. When you’re able to eat again, she fixes you the best dropped-egg-on-toast you’ve ever tasted (Proverbs 31:27).

A mother is someone who makes you and your sister violet gingham dresses that match her own, and you’re proud to sit all together in the church pew on Sunday morning (Proverbs 31:21).

A mother is someone who can stretch a small paycheck to cover a family of six and still find enough to make sure all four kids have music lessons (Proverbs 31:11).

A mother is someone who, given the opportunity to travel across the country, never considers leaving the kids behind, but loads all four of them (ages 2 to 11) into a VW van, complete with ancient canvas tent, and embarks on the journey of a lifetime, and, because it was such a success, repeats the process every five years, in spite of who blew chunks where, from coast to coast.

A mother is someone who, in family photographs, is always caught laughing and makes sure her children know the value of laughing at themselves.

A mother is someone who makes homemade bread – enough for the family and enough to share with the neighbors (Proverbs 31:20).

A mother is someone who teaches her daughters to sew, encouraging them to take out the mistakes and do it over, rather than doing it for them (Proverbs 31:17).

A mother is someone who teachers her daughters to knit and, 50 years later, keeps on knitting sweaters for her grandchildren, great-grandchildren and children around the world (Proverbs 31:21).

A mother is someone who agrees to let you sleep over at your cousin’s house, then comes to pick you up by 9 p.m. because you’re too homesick to last the night, never saying “I told you so,” even though you’re 13 years old and you’ve been here several times before.

A mother is someone who prepares a special meal when you invite John Denver to supper when he’s in Portland, just in case he shows up (he didn’t).

A mother is someone who rides shotgun on your first drive with a permit, pretending her clenched teeth and white knuckles are just part of her delight of the moment.

A mother is someone who can catch your eye across a room and know exactly what you’re thinking.

A mother is someone who warns you about the dangers of crossing your eyes, but doesn’t say “I told you so” when you have strabismus surgery 20 years later (Proverbs 31:26).

A mother is someone who looked after her aging parents with grace and humor.

A mother is someone who, when her grandson leaves home for a missionary journey, wears the necklace he got her for Christmas, even though it turns her neck green, until he’s safely back home, and during his year in Iraq, prays with the frequency of a hacking cough until he’s reunited with his family once again.

A mother is someone who attends her children’s performances, even when her children are over 50 (Proverbs 1:8).

A mother is someone who would follow you to the end of the Earth and enjoy the ride.

A mother is someone who gives advice, along with the wings to try to fly; hurts when you hurt, but kisses it and makes it feel better; sees the beauty inside you when you think you’re unremarkable; and loves you unconditionally. When her love is divided among her children, it multiplies as each receives it. There’s no one else on Earth like her.

Proverbs 31:10 says, “Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.” I can. Thanks, Mom.

Brenda Norris is assistant Sunday school leader and choir director at the West Lubec Methodist Church. She may be reached through bdnreligion@bangordailynews.net. Voices is a weekly commentary by Maine people who explore issues affecting spirituality and religious life.