Mother's Day 2011

My mom was 18 years old when she gave birth to me.
Since the photo above was her Senior portrait, I would be born the following fall.

A life I cannot even begin to imagine.

Needless to say, things weren't and aren't always smooth for her.

She never really was able to have a life of her own; she went from being a daughter and a sister to a wife and a mother.

And, she wasn't always thanked for it.

After my parents' divorce she raised my brother and I in a 2 bedroom apartment on a college secretary's paycheck.
There were times when I know the only way she made it through each day was one minute at a time...an independent know-it-all teenager (me) and an active little five year old boy nipping at her heels constantly.

Nevertheless, my brother and I both graduated high school and college, have good jobs and happy lives and neither of us has ever questioned whether or not she loves us.  We just know.
I think life with a silver spoon in your mouth is highly overrated.

As my brother and I have progressed through the stages in our lives, she has also progressed through stages in hers.  Using gumption, strength, and perseverence she has become a successful businesswoman and is beginning to enjoy some freedom in her life that she has never had before.

Kudos to my mom; nobody deserves it more than she does.

As my own first little bird prepares to fly from the nest with the 2nd little bird close behind, I've been taking a long look at who I am and what kind of mother I've been to my girls.  I know that I've not always done things "right," but there are some very important things that I've learned from my mom that I try to instill in my daughters.

On Mother's Day I thought it appropriate to list a few of those things my mom has taught me:  

Life is not a bed of roses...so don't expect it to be.

Stand on your own two feet.

Never, ever give up.

Hold onto your faith.  Believe.

Honor extended family...they are a part of who you are.

When you are down on the floor, pick yourself up by your bootstraps and stand back up again.

Work your arse off.

Job descriptions include whatever it takes to get the job done.

Survive.

Be responsible. And, if you're not, own up to it.

Don't whine.  Do something about it.

A mother's love never ends. Period.

Mom's can get angry, disappointed, frustrated and even exasperated...but they're still always there for you.

My mother doesn't teach these things through words so much...

She teaches them through her actions...day by day...year by year.
I only hope I am half the mother she is.

Happy Mother's Day, Mom!
From, your little girl.