Calling ALL Mothers!

All Mothers, Aunts, Grandmas, sisters...the day dedicated to YOU is quickly approaching.  What does Mother's Day mean to you?  What memories do you have?  Some gifts were the perfect one that year and other years I bet you just couldn't find that one thing which says, "Mom YOU are the best!"  It's difficult to really show your gratitude to the woman who has raised you or nurtured you as your Mother has.  We all have women in our lives, our Mothers, sisters, Aunts, Grandmothers, and those who filled those roles, who have taken care of us in our time of need and celebrated us when flying high in the stars. This day is yours!

Growing up with special needs from my rare congenital birth defect, Sacral Agenesis, there were many Mother's Days that I probably didn't even know (because so young) that my Mom was just grateful to have all of her chicklets with her.  Just having us there was probably gift enough.  I think at the end of the day it's about being there for Mom the way she has always been there for us.  Sure, we buy flowers and other gifts but it's the time spent but it's time spent with Mom that means the most.  Mother's Day is our turn to shower you with love and gifts.     

I speak from being the daughter of the World's Best Mother (perhaps a little bias) who has been here through thick and thin for all of her children.  For me, we've weathered over 40 surgeries together, countless doctor appointments and tests where my Mom stood, like a rock, during each and every one!!  I can't imagine the strength it took watching her baby writhing in pain, at times and others suffering after surgery and during the time leading up to surgery.  She has and continues to be here for me and now my husband and I during difficult times medically. 

This year Mother's Day, as every Mother's Day is a celebration.  Because I'm still recovering from a Cerebral Spinal Fluid (CSF) leak and have to remain on bed rest, we are bringing the party to our house and eating "bed side."  Yes I do have the best most adaptive family :)  What matters is that we will be together, even though, it will be in our bed room with black out curtains and end tables, we will still have each other and have surprises for the Woman of Honor Sunday :)  It's what we make of a situation that matters.  In light of suffering and my Mom having to be strong, still, we will celebrate her with all our hearts because she has loved us all so dearly.

Happy Mother's Day

Thanks for ALWAYS being here for me and always making life fun!

As a daughter it means something words don't even do justice to say thank you to my Mom.  Saying I feel lucky isn't even enough to describe the gratitude I have for my Mom.  Without her, I wouldn't have been raised to try everything, even if I fell.  I was never treated differently than my twin brother or older sister.  My Mom empowered me and gave me the confidence to try and take on challenges with my whole heart and gusto.  Sure she had to pick me up when I fell but if she hadn't been that force of strength, encouragement and love I would not have grown up to be an independent, loving and open woman.  

Thank you to ALL Mothers, Aunties, Grandmas for loving us from generation to generation.  You have made each of your children stronger and better people for it!  I hope you are spoiled rotten with a day filled with flowers, cookouts, and most of all LOVE.  We do know how much you love us and today is your day to accept that love from all of us daughters, sons, grandsons, nephews ecetera.  Each day is a gift to share with each other.

I don't feel an expert with being a Mother since we aren't able to have children.  We certainly love them, all children.  We love our nephews and niece and those of our friends.  I have to say coming to grips with not having children or being able to physically care for a child was not easy.  I realized as I watered all my inside plants and planned my gardens...I am a Mother.  I nurture everything and everyone around me.  I whole heatedly think that being the Mother to an animal is loving with all your heart.  Knowing nothing, you get your first puppy, discipline as it attempts eating rugs or base boards.  Then seemingly overnight they are full grown grown, then age and move more slowly until that one day when...It's like loving animals is a love that never stops because within a certain amount of time we ended up with our next puppy, Stella!  Over and over again, we know loving a puppy, raising it will lead to that "one day."  I wouldn't trade loving and having Stella in my life for anything and yes I miss George (our first baby) daily.  It's like my Cousin put it beautifully, no other dog will ever replace George, it will make your heart bigger.  It has!  By the time we are old and don't have pets, we will have really large hearts!

To all women who nurture each other, children, friendships, plants, nephews, nieces, cats, dogs ecetera, we know how to love too!  Hats off to you, because to love openly, is not something just anyone can do.  I am forever in debt to my Mom, Aunties, Grandmas, sister, cousins, friends and more.  Your love makes this wold a better place.

And so I conclude with the wise words sung by Jackie DeShannon, "What the world needs now is love sweet love, its the only thing that there's just too little of..no not just for one, oh, but for everyone..."  Remember to love freely and openly and to share that love with those around you.  Watch the world become a better place because of your love.  Thank you Mom for teaching me love and so much more!

Our First Luv Bug, George!

Our Second Baby Luv, Stella!

Remember to share your happiness and joy this weekend with "Riley Kids" at Riley Children's Hospital at http://www.gtwyh.org/rileyurology/grouphome.asp.
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Our love expands to all the children and Mothers spending the weekend in the hospital. Share your Happy HeartBeats of compassion and love with the Riley Kids, remember I am one too, and all their Mothers this weekend!  Pay your love forward.  Riley Children's Hospital is a family in and of itself with the loving care they extend.