HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!!!

My mom was a pretty special woman, at least in my opinion. She got married at 16 and never completed high school. She went on to have 7 kids and a couple of times had to take care of them by herself as my dad would go off and do something (long story). My mom always wanted to do things; travel, learn, experience things. She convinced me that I could do and be anything I wanted to as long as I worked hard. If she had been born in another time she would have been an adventurer or a trail blazer. But, she was born in 1925 and there were not a lot of paths open to women at that time. During WWII she worked in the shipyards and supported the family while my dad was in the service. When my dad died she got her high school diploma and went on to college at the age of 49. She got her nursing degree and set out to support my sister and myself. She was truly the example of doing what needed to be done when it needed to be done.

I was a horrible child. My dad died when I was 13 and in many ways I took it out on my mother, not realizing that she was in more pain than me. The man who had taken care of her most of her life was gone and she had two little kids at home. I lied, stole, ran away, cut school, started smoking, stared taking drugs, and eventually ended up pregnant. Did my mother turn her back on me and kick my butt out??? Never... She was always there when I needed her, no matter what. Thankfully I realized how horrible I had been and hopefully made it clear to my mother how sorry I was. I tried as I got older to be the best daughter I could be and I really think she knew how much I loved and respected her.

This picture is my Mom and my daughter. It was taken in 1978 and is one of my favorites. The 2 females who shaped my life so much. Unfortunately I feel like I shortchanged them both. My mom was an amazing woman and my daughter has turned out to be one too. She gave 1 child up for adoption, lost one child to drowning, and now has 2 kids. She is an amazing mom and I don't know where she learned it. Certainly not from me. I spent most of my life way too self centered and selfish.

The only thing I can say is I love them both deeply. My mom died in 2001 and I still miss her a lot. There are so many times I go to pick up the phone to call her only to remember she's gone. My daughter lives in California and I miss her all the time too.

To both of these amazing women, and to all the mothers out there in blogland:

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY