Celebrating Moms

My mom and me ~ circa 1971

Happy Mother's Day to all mom's, by all definitions of the word, past, present and future. Celebrate all that you are.

My own mother is an inspiration to me in many ways. She raised me as a single parent when I was still a very little girl working days, and sometimes nights, and postponing parts of her own life to make sure I was taken care of. She has always let me know how important I am to her and she allowed me to have many life experiences growing up, good and bad, for which I am grateful because that, in turn, helped shaped the woman I am today.

She became an entrepreneur when I was still in elementary school and opened two successful donut shops, catering dozens of donuts to popular television shows of the time like this one, and that one, and this movie. Which I saw. As did my friend Kevin. And sometimes we re-enact their cheerleader moves. But only when we're drinking. A lot. But I digress.

Eventually she sold her businesses to pursue a career following in her father's footsteps. She bought a house, then another using the first one as income property, went back to school, graduated college with a business degree, made some tough decisions and experienced a lot of life along the way. The cumulation of her life experiences have made her a really strong woman as well as given her loads of character and a novels worth of stories to share.

She has seen her fair share of love and heartbreak along her journey, finally meeting a wonderful man who she married the same year Jimmy and I were married. Through some smart financial decisions, she was able to retire early at 50 years old and made herself a writer and most recently a painter. In this chapter of her life she is discovering the artist inside of her.

Although she has always been creative. An example of this would be through her sense of style. I love looking at old photos of her fabulous mod and hippie outfits, hair, and makeup; she would sew her own clothes as well as miniature versions for me in the same fabrics. I loved it.

In so many ways she is an inspiration to me and I have learned many valuable lessons from her, my grandmother, and my great-grandmother as I continue to forge my own pathway.

My mom published a book of poetry a year after she retired of the poems she had written as a young woman starting at age 18. Her book is titled, "Childish Prose of a Girl on Her Way to Finding Her Woman", and is an expression of her personal experiences on love, grief and longing as a young woman. I love that she did this, fearlessly and confidently.

Let me go ahead and pimp my mom's book by saying if you wish to own your own copy of let me know and I will send one out to you. It will be $7.95 of good karma money well spent. It's a small book ~ only about 44 pages. Perhaps you will find a gem that resonates with you. Here is one of my favorite poems of hers:

I never thought that it could be,
But at the tender age of twenty and three,
I have been called an older woman.

And I gaze upon your peaceful face,
I notice nature has left no trace
Of worry or responsibility.

Yes, I can see, I am an older woman.

When I came across this picture of her and I today, it made me smile. I love her in this picture. She looks so pretty and natural and relaxed and hippy. Most weekends I wear braids in my hair, just like my mom in this photo, and found myself wishing I still had that little white peacoat in an adult size today. Seriously, how cute is that coat?

I have so many pictures like this of my mom and I, which I am so grateful for, but I chose this one because my mom always felt at home near the water , even though she currently resides in the desert, and looks so peaceful in this photo with her baby cub in her arms. As I continue on my own journey to motherhood I look at photos like these and understand my mother more and more.

I love you Mom. Deeply. Happy Mother's Day.

Comments

[amanda]

your mom truly sounds inspirational. the kind of woman i hope to one day be like.
you are very lucky....
that poem of hers is lovely.
xoxo
a

[cayden]

Your mother is beautiful in this photo.How wonderful to have such an inspiration throughout each step of your life-you are so blessed. How cute your hair seems to blend with hers.

[susannah]

*oh* how i love this photo! that beautiful young woman wouldn't look out of place today standing outside Topshop in London's Oxford Circus :-)

beautiful post - your mama sounds like such an inspiration. i'd love to have tea with her one day :-D xo

[ceanandjen]

Gorgeous tribute to your incredible Mom. She sounds like SUCH an inspiration, and I am so happy to know that she is living an enjoyable fulfilling life doing what she longs to do.

You, my dear are amazing as well. And when your time comes, you will be an equally amazing mama.

Lots of love,
J
xoxoxo

[Sue]

What an adorable photo of you guys!!!

I bought "Mom's" book when it first came out & gave it to MY mom in hopes of inspiring her to do something similar (she used to write poetry in her youth, as well)....no dice, but it was a cute book and I did want to support the cause! :)

You & "Momma Bear" look so cute & hip -- I just love this photo & I am glad you posted it for us all to see!! Give your mom my best! XOXO

[daisies]

i adore this photo ~ your mom is so beautiful and you are so adorable :)

your mom sounds, in some ways, so much like mine as they both followed their hearts and spend time and courage creating (my mom is also a full time artist though it is my grandma who is the poet).

I am glad you are following in your momma's footsteps, carving out your dreams and someday you will be some lucky girl or boy's inspiration.

I will definitely be buying a copy of your beautiful mom's book of poetry before this month ends ~ I can't wait to read through her poetry :) (cause you know how much i heart poetry :)

sending you love sweetpea ... xoxox

[Dreamer Girl]

That photo of you two is amazing. So cute!

Thanks for sharing this story of love and live. It put a smile on my face and warmed my heart.

xoxo

[maddie]

this tribute to your Mom is sooo
beautiful - it just filled me up reading it:)
She is so gorgeous and serene and wonderful in
that photo and you look just like her with your
sweet little face!
Reminded me of my grandmother who made me a
coat exactly like yours and all my outfits when
I was little.

I would love a book of her poetry.
My e-mail is...

persistingstars2@yahoo.ca

hugs:)

[boho girl]

oh my...i so want that peacoat.

you are the cutest thing in the world. i want to take you in my arms and kiss your yummy cheeks. good thing i get to do that to you now, though...

your mom is so absolutely fresh and lovely. a granola chickie with style. yum.

xoxox love u.

[rubyslippers]

how cute is this? you are blessed to have such a wonderful, interesting and strong mother like you have. and your tribute to her is lovely indeed. thanks for sharing. and yes that pea coat is to die for!

[Tina]

I remember the donut shop!!! How fun was that when we got to help sometimes?!

Your mom definitely made an impact in my life as well. I am very open with my girls in how I talk to them, and your mom played a pivotal role in the fact that I do that.

I will definitely be ordering that book of poems, I can't wait to read them!

What a beautiful picture of the two of you!!

[mccabe]

this is one of the most beautiful photos i have ever seen....

S T U N N I N G

i am having lots of fun exploring this blog!

:)