I have been away for a few days celebrating the most important person in my life, my mother. We spent Friday afternoon at the movies and then we went out to dinner. We had an absolutely fabulous time. During our meal, I asked my mother if she was enjoying herself? Her response, with disbelief in her voice, “Yes.  My gosh, we never did this.” You see we were at a nice Italian restaurant. The type where you cleanse your palette with sorbet between courses, not something we are necessarily accustomed to.

Growing up, my mother was a single mom. She worked often, but cared for us constantly. She was a supportive mother, a mother who was always there. But, she had three children she had to care for..so our big night out to dinner was to Ground Round (which we LOVED and it was a blast), where the attraction was that they allowed you to throw peanut shells on the floor. You see, instead of a basket of bread on the table, they gave a basket of peanuts.  In hindsight, probably not the best idea for a restaurant (they eventually closed), but as children it was, as they say now, Sweet!

So, when she said “Yes.  My gosh, we never did this.” It made me feel good, I was able to do something for my mother.  She then followed that sentence by, “I feel bad that my children have to do this for me.” Which then at the time made me feel a little bad. But now I realize..that is the entire point. My mother gave of herself, emotionally, financially, unconditionally to her children…she clothed us, fed us, bathed us, made us laugh and even  cry– because we darn well deserved it…my mother just had to look at my funny, and say “Darlene Victoria” and I would burst into tears– She also made us feel good about ourselves and supported us in whatever we chose to do.  She did the best she could (which was superb) with what she had.

My brother now has a successful business, has a beautiful family and a nice house.  My oldest brother is a public speaker/supporter for recovering drug addicts. I have a husband, a business and I am producing two podcasts. We are all doing what we are doing (and doing it well) because of her love and support. She has always been our personal cheerleader. We are who we are today because of her.

So, while I can simply take her to the local pizza parlor for dinner, which we would both enjoy, going to nice restaurant isn’t something we always do, and gosh darnit, because of the hard work ethic my mother instilled in us, we can take her somewhere nice. She deserves it.

I don’t want it to seem like taking my mother to a nice place is the only way I can show her my love and support. That is not true. The most important thing was to spend time with my mother and enjoy each others company and we did. My mother and I have the best time no matter where we are..whether that be at the local flea market eating a hot dog or at the Ritz Carlton in NYC (never been there by the way, just using that as an analogy ). This time around it just happened to be at a nice italian restaurant, next time, it will most likely be a turkey sandwich in the park.

Happy Mother’s Day to my mother and to all the other awesome mothers out there.  If you do one thing this year for your mother, make sure it is to simply tell her how much you love her.

Some quotes about Mothers for Mother’s Day:

My mom is a neverending song in my heart of comfort, happiness, and being.  I may sometimes forget the words but I always remember the tune.  ~Graycie Harmon

A mother is a person who seeing there are only four pieces of pie for five people, promptly announces she never did care for pie.  ~Tenneva Jordan

“A mother is the truest friend we have, when trials, heavy and sudden, fall upon us when adversity takes the place of prosperity when friends who rejoice with us in our sunshine, desert us when troubles thicken around us, still will she cling to us, and endeavor by her kind precepts and counsels to dissipate the clouds of darkness, and cause peace to return to our hearts.”
–Washington Irving

So, I spent the morning updating the Your Blooming website with blogs and a new podcast (a conversation with my mother). Less than 30 minutes ago — I received these from my mother:

How awesome is she? These flowers are in celebration of my 10th Year Kidney Day Anniversary. Thank you Mom, they are beautiful!

My mother is my inspiration, so of course, I found it fitting to have her on my podcast. I hope you find her inspiring too!

Learn more about my mother and this podcast episode by reading this Blog Post.

 

 Episode 3: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (120)

I am full of energy, gratitude and optimism today.  While my brother is my real-life hero, my mother is my inspiration and provides the strength I need to forge ahead.

She has always been by my side. That is why it was surprising to hear that prior to my being born, she never thought in a million years, that should could care for a sick child. However, she did it and was great at it too. She is the definition of strength and inspiration in my book. That is why I had asked her to be a guest on my podcast, specifically  to talk about her experiences as a mother to a child who was in and out of the hospital for the first six years of their life (me).

As you will hear in our conversation, this woman, is amazing. There is one sentence my mother kept repeating during our conversation “You just do what you have to do. You don’t think about it, you just do.” Mom, I have to tell you, not everyone thinks that way and that is why you, you are an inspiration.

Listen to Episode 3