M is for the many things...

I know that this is a little early in the week, but I wanted to take a quick moment to recognize Moms -- like mine -- who had a lot to do with my sports career as a youngster and who helped develop the love for the game(s) that I have today.

My Dad definitely had a lot to do with it, too. I think about him a lot this time of year because it's getting to a time of the year that reminds me of our shared passions -- golf and the Indy 500.

But Moms like mine don't get enough credit. Sure, we recognize them for driving us all over the place, sitting in the stands and cheering for us and doing all of the little things (like washing our uniforms or making sure our equipment was where we could find it) that help make our lives easier. And they are definitely good at that. Heck, I think when it comes to that my own wife, Deedee, is a true all-star. My two guys are lucky to have her love and support.

But there are some that are a little more "hands on", and that was my mom. A great athlete in her own right who if she had come along post-Title IX would have surely been All-Something or another and a Division I athlete, she seemed to like to play almost as much as I did. Growing up in a family of brothers, she could hold her own on the ball field, played varsity tennis and was such a good ice skater she once won a city-wide speed skating competition in her hometown.

We still play golf together at times, and because my dad traveled a lot while I was growing up, she also taught me to play tennis, hit me ground balls whenever I asked, gave me batting tips (like when she told me to stop swinging the bat like I thought I was Johnny Mize!) and would shoot some hoops in the driveway if I asked.

Since my sister and I both started running a few years ago, she has gotten up at the crack of dawn to watch us run races, and last year followed me along on a bike as I put in a 14-mile run in preparation for the Chicago Marathon.

Did I mention that she is almost 71 years old?

An amazing person in every sense of the word, I definitely love her greatly and miss her bunches since she spends most of her time in Florida. Still, I am so thankful that I had a person like her in my life and am grateful for the time and energy she gave me while I was growing up.

So Happy Mother's Day, Mom! Look forward to seeing you next week!