"It's Ok it's what Moms do...."

Recently, my child became ill in the middle of the night which is when kids mostly get sick. So, I tended to her needs and mothered her. She proceeds to apologize for waking me up in the middle of the night. I tell her, "It's ok, 'cause that's what Moms do."

Today, my mom would have celebrated her 81st birthday.
And although she has been gone for 3 years now, it is comforting to recall all that she did for me because she was my mom. She also taught me many things throughout the years. Of those, I share the following........

Never be afraid to try new things, even if you don't know you want to try them. Mom was always finding activities for all of us kids. Arts and crafts, reading clubs, and all kinds of unique experiences. She totally took advantage of our local Parks and Rec programs.

You are never too old to learn new things. Mom went back to get her Masters degree when she was 53, graduated and started working full time after being out of the work force for 18 years to raise her family.

Don't be afraid to be who you are. My mother did not have a demonstrative personality, but she could sit down at a table of strangers and have new friends in a matter of minutes. She was smart, quick witted and genuinely kind hearted.

Children will be your biggest joy and can also be your biggest heartache. No matter what we children did or how we treated her, it was obvious she loved each one of us unconditionally.

Find something you are passionate about. My mom found her passion in art. We had always joked about her idea that when she retired she was going to take painting classes. Well, she did and she was great at it. Several of her paintings adorn my walls.

Enjoy the good things in life around you regardless of the bad. My mom was never a healthy person, but it never stopped her from doing what she loved, whether it was traveling abroad or to the local art gallery, or volunteering at the senior center. I think that positive out look is what helped her survive all the bouts with cancer and such and allowed her to live to a good old age of 78!!


I was fortunate that I had the opportunity to thank my mom several times for all she did for me before she passed. She never said much during those times, but would nod, blink and give me that beautiful smile, which to me always meant, " It's what Moms do. "

Love and miss ya Mom! Happy Birthday!