By Terra Avilla
One of the happiest, most cherished moments an adult mother can have is that moment when you find another adult mother who is just like you.
One of my favorite Lassen County moms comes in the form of a free spirited, tattooed, incredibly funny and genuine momma of three who goes by the name of Katy Claiborne, and if you have been around Ms. Katy more than five minutes, I’m certain she’s made you smile.
I don’t know how I met Katy, but I am so glad that I did. Perhaps it was through another favorite mom of mine, Jesse Mccraken, but I simply don’t remember. All I remember is the feeling I get when I’m around her. The feeling that she is so genuinely herself, you can’t help but want to be yourself unapologetically too.
Katy spends her days doing that all mothers do, and that is ferrying her children from activity to activity, only, unlike me, she does it with a smile on her face (most of the time).
Katy is one of the strongest mommas I know – her family is a military family, and her husband has spent considerable time away from his family protecting and serving our country. (Thank you, from the bottom of my heart!) If this bugged Katy, she never, ever, let on.
You can tell she is so proud of what her husband is doing, and she chugs along doing what needs to be done for her family while he is away. Katy is a hero too – I hope she knows that.
I also hope she knows what a fresh breath of air she is for me.
Katy never makes me feel like she is trying to impress me or that I have to impress her. She is accepting and authentic. And gosh is she funny. Katy is by far one of the funniest people I know. I look forward to seeing her at mom events because she brings a sense of levity and fun wherever she is.
When Katy isn’t off making me feel better about myself, she is absolutely rocking it as a momma. There is no doubt about how loved her kids are. Not by them being showered by material things, but by the time she invests in them, and with them.
Her children are also just as kind and wonderful. (I mean, how could they not be with her as their role model?)
Katy is someone that flies under the radar but does so much for everyone around her. I hope she knows what a blessing she is. I see you Katy! I thank you for being you, and for the laughter you have brought into my life. Thank you for being one of the reasons I love where we live.
