Today I decided to write about someone in my life that I admire and has helped me in my life. I could have chosen a wide number of people, but I chose the obvious one, my mom, after all, today is her birthday! It’s a day to celebrate her. I’m so lucky to be with her today on her birthday as well, as we live in two different states and the timing was perfect, as we get ready for our flight together to Amsterdam tomorrow. We started planning the trio about four months ago after she told me that she’d like to visit the tulips. No time like the present! After all the birthdays keep coming.
Here are the things I admire most about my mom:
She was a working mother while we four children were growing up, working as a reading teacher in a junior high school
She managed our family always with an amazing positive attitude and with a smile. She worked with my dad as they say ‘in good times and in bad’.
My mom and dad had lots of parties, always living in the moment and sharing themselves with friends and family. And Mom is always the life of the party. She is fun to be with and around. She and my dad also hosted book clubs and bridge club gatherings at our house growing up. Of course she is still involved with a book club.
She is well rounded and educated, and interesting, and always interested in learning from others.
She is an amazing financial manager, always handling the bills, the checkbook, the family finances, and the student loan applications to get every dime we could.
She is so kind and generous with her children and grandchildren. She is always interested in the grandchildren, what they are doing, and thinking, and feeling. She pays attention to them and try’s to draw them out to talk.
She supports all of her children emotionally, and allows us to figure out our next steps and challenges.
She is active! She does yoga and water aerobics, and plays Mahjong. She goes to concerts, plays, fancy restaurants, garden exhibits, travels, and in the summer at the beach, she is the first one in the ocean.
She brought me to my first Tai Chi class this morning, so is still teaching me (at age 81 today).
Thanks Mom for your love and support. I admire you!