Sue Ellen, The Exalted Queen Mother
It was my idea to create this page, so I'm writing it from the perspective of a daughter who loves her mother dearly and wouldn't know what to do without her.
Princess Daughter

Sue Ellen Cooper, My Mother
My earliest memories of my mom are of her nurturing warmth. She always held me when I wanted her to, she always had time to spend with me, she was never far away when I needed her. Occasionally, she would really go out of her way to show me her love by sewing a skirt for my Barbie doll or letting me play with her expensive art supplies. One of my fondest memories is of a day when she picked me up from preschool and told me she had a surprise for me. She had a smug smile on her face and bright green paint under her fingernails. When we got home, I discovered she had painted a beautiful mural in my room! Her kindness toward me was never lacking.

I suppose that is why I want to take the time to put this page together. I want to brag about her a little bit and tell the world some wonderful things about her that she might never say herself. First, I want to talk about how talented she is.

My mom has been drawing and painting for as long as I can remember. She has freelanced for print companies and greeting card companies and sold various original pieces to framers and interior decorators. Most of her work has been in watercolor and gouache, but just recently, she has developed a love for colored pencils and has really taken great strides in the new medium.

She has been creating some of the most charming scenes with animals and flowers, architectural details and old furniture, all kinds of good things.

Speaking of cute little animals, my mom has one of her own that I would like everyone to meet. His name is Frosty, and he has been a wonderful companion for her since I got married and moved out. (It's good to know there's someone taking care of her all day.)

Frosty is a mutt, but if he weren't neutered, she could still probably make a lot of money breeding him. She takes him on long walks sometimes twice a day - and everyone who sees them wants to take him home. He rides along with her in the car and gets to go shopping sometimes, even. Indeed, he is spoiled, but he doesn't have an attitude. He is very loving. He can't stand to be out of her arms when they come to visit. He's not a bad little brother to have around.

Look at this photo of Frosty (left). This is what he does while the rest of us are working. Must be nice! (Click on it to see an enlargement.)

Last but not least, my mom is a great grandmother. She loves her two granddaughters very much and spends all kinds of time with them, reading, playing and giving hugs and kisses. I know they wear her out but she always seems to have time for them. If she hasn't seen them in a few days, she'll say she needs a "fix" and we have to find a way to get in some grandma time.

Grandma Sue has made it her business to provide Hannah and Abby with a lot of "dress up" garb. She was the first to give a princess gown to each of them and she has been known to scour garage sales for castoffs from other princesses who have outgrown some of their finery. This last Christmas, she brought two large tubs full of plastic jewelry, sparkly shoes, mardi gras beads, boas and sequined, feathered little glam getups for them to play with. (And of course, they have all kinds of crowns and hats too.) Leave it to grandma.

We are so blessed to have a mother and grandmother like her.