So what am I looking for in a story?

I guess I should probably explain what I am looking for.  Basically, I am wanting is a good reading story.  Think, "Chicken Soup of the Soul" type stories.  Think warm and fuzzy.  That is what I am looking for.  It doesnt have to be perfectly written, I can do the spell checks and rearrange sentences as needed.  I just need YOUR story.  What about your stepmom is special?  Does she do something that makes you feel special?  Has she done something outrageous for which you are thankful?  Has she stepped in as a mom to you when yours didnt or couldnt?  Tell me a story, or several stories; describe her to me.  Explain why you love her so much.

I thought about posting my story, but then that might just give away who she is (if she comes across this blog, that is).  Sure, I could change the names, but the overall story would be easy to pick out if you are her.  I will type that my stepmom is an average person.  She isnt famous or perfect.  She is just special to me and my family.

The Blogger

Who am I??  Well, I consider myself a typical midwestern 30-something mom.  I have a husband, a few kids, and a few pets.  Nothing really outstanding about me.  I take care of our home, take care of the family, and work outside of the home.  Some days the house doesnt get care, and some days the family might feel neglected, but I try my best and everyone accepts that.  That, in a nutshell, is who I am.

The Person

So, who is this wonderful person I am raving about?  Well, she is a typical 50-something midwestern mom.  She works for a living. She loves her kids and stepkids, and she loves her grandkids...all of them, her biological and her stepgrandkids.  Honestly, she has only been a stepmom for about a decade, but she is a pretty good one.  She keeps my dad in check and remains neutral on most family issues.  She has never once tried to replace my own mom, and that is a HUGE accomplishment.  She tries to be there when any of us needs her and she steps aside when that is needed.  As a matter of fact, many times, I go to her first with a problem before I go to my own dad.  That, in a nutshell, is my stepmom. 

The Reason

Why am I doing this, you ask?  Well, because my stepmom is a fabulous woman.  AND, she is super hard to shop for (unless you count buying bath stuff). AND she likes to read.  So, what better present than a book created just for her (and all the other great stepmoms out there!)??  In all seriousness, the thought came to me while showering one day. You know how it is, you are shampooing your hair and your mind begins to wander.  Mine sure did that day (well, it does everyday, but this time I really remember what I was thinking about!) So there I was, in the shower, and I begin to think about shopping for Christmas presents.  (The thought train starts here.)  The thought then travels to shopping for my relatives, then chugs along to my dad and stepmom, then to how hard it is to buy for them. The train takes a leap and goes to a thought of when I was in a bookstore last spring before mother's day. All I saw were books about moms.  I didn't see a single one about stepmoms.  The train then shudders to a stop at the thought, "why not make a book about stepmoms?"  All of a sudden, I was blessed with thought after thought about what this book could be about and how happy she would be to receive this book. Cool huh? I think so!  I cannot think of a better present for her!  Although, I do not know how I would ever top this one!

The Purpose

This blog is a project. A project that is meant to become a gift to my stepmom.  Hopefully by Mother's Day.  This coming Mother's day, as in Mother's Day 2011.  Nothing like a short deadline, huh?  I know, Mother's Day is about six months away, but this blog is only part of the project.  The end result will hopefully be a book.  A book of stories about stepmoms.  The book will have other stuff in it too, but mainly it will be a compilation of stories from everyday, wonderful stepmoms.  This is where I need your help.  I need stories.  I only know one fabulous stepmom, but I am sure there are more out there.  Not all stepmoms are like the wicked ones portrayed in movies and in fairy tales and I want to get to know them.  I know my stepmom would love to read that there are other wonderful women just like her who have taken on the role of stepmother.  So, if you feel you have the best stepmom, email me and tell me all about her.  Tell me why she is the best.  What makes your stepmom the best?  If I think your stepmom is pretty darn cool, like mine, I will include her story in the book.  This is not a contest and I really do not have anything to give you, other than the possibility of having her name and maybe picture published.  That is still pretty cool though, isnt it?  So, get your stories ready...and email them to me at mystepmomisnotamonster@gmail.com. 
Thanks!