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"Able to leap
tall piles of laundry with a single bound, Faster than a speeding
suburban headed to daycare, It’s a bird, it’s a plane, no its Super-Mom Donna Richards!
When I was asked to write a few words
to describe Donna, I was at a loss how to describe this woman in a
novel shorter than
Gone With The Wind.
I am talking about a woman who teaches her kids to call the alarm
clock an “opportunity clock”.
If you spend the night at the
Richards’ house you will be awakened at 6:00 a.m. by several voices
yelling “I'M BACK!!!!!” That is how the children at her house
welcome the day! She is the mother of five sons ranging in age
from 5-16 yrs old... and her youngest son Justin is autistic. She
runs two businesses, is a wife, mother and friend to many.
Everybody I know is happy to see Donna walk in the door. She
always has a smile and a big boost of energy for anyone who needs
it. Her favorite expression is Step Up!!! If you make a mistake -
Step Up and Say So. If there is no one that wants to do the job -
Step Up and Take It. Right or Wrong just Step Up. Have some
initiative, do something! Her sons also believe in this
philosophy. From the biggest to the smallest there are no excuses
on Team Richards.
Sunday at her house is family day. Everybody has a matching
football jersey that says Richards on the back and the number is
their birthday. Every Wednesday is Fancy Antsy Restaurant Night
where each of the children gets to pick what they want to eat,
cook it, set the table and serve it to their family. Italian night
is hilarious... you should see those kids in white chefs hats with
spaghetti every where.
I
guess the thing I admire the most about Donna is in a world that
is always too busy she makes time for other people. She volunteers
a lot at Open Door Home, an orphanage in Rome, Ga. All the kids
love to see her truck pull up because they know there is good
stuff inside, (Candy at Halloween or baskets at Easter) they know
they can count on Donna but what they do not know is she
understands all too well their plight.
When Donna was born her mother left her at the hospital. After
several stays at numerous places she was adopted. So it is her
heart that speaks to these kids. She is a wonderful motivator and
role model. Look out world because there is no telling where those
Richards boys may go. With a camaraderie and family spirit only
echoed by the Kennedy's, this mom will see her boys grow to men
and accomplish many things. I am happy to be along for the ride."
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