Happy Mother’s Day to all the mothers reading this blog and the people who love them.  I know how hard you work to balance your life with those you love. And I know you wouldn’t have it any other way.  Women work twice as hard as men in all that they do – because they love their work. They love their jobs (well, sometimes), they love their homes, but mostly they love their families.

In this sweet picture of my mother, daughter and me, there are three generations of mothers. It was also taken by a hard-working mother who held down a photography studio while balancing a home life.  You can see the love in the faces that obviously favor each other. This picture, taken about 14 years ago, was carefully posed while my mother was having a good day.  Her oxygen bottle was in the car – just in case.  The lung cancer had not taken her fragile body yet.  She still had about another year before the inevitable.

    While taking a trip down memory lane looking for pictures of motherhood, I found this one taken when I was just beginning my journey with the other side of my family.  Pregnant at the ripe old age of 19, I was scared to death.  But, I had a village of mothers, sisters, mothers-in-law, and sisters-in-law behind me with the wealth of knowledge they brought with them. I would make it, even though there were times when I didn’t know how.  I even went on to have another child, this one more boisterous than the first, but no less fun.    

Then many years later came grandmother hood.  I had forgotten how much work kids could be and I had forgotten how wonderful they could make your day.  Their amazing take on life cannot help but rub off on you with the wonder in their eyes at the things you have come to think of as mundane.  This little guy was the inspiration for many children’s books in the years to come.    

I wish a wonderful Mother’s Day to you as you reminisce about the good times and enjoy your family.  Happy Mother’s Day!