Happy Women's Day!

I know that it is "Mother's Day" and to all of the mothers out there, great job! You truly do make a difference and should consider yourself, very blessed. You do what others cannot and it is amazing! I know that the job doesn't pay and you are not always shown appreciation through out the year. Especially the new mothers with babies who do not know how to communicate and aren't old enough to give back. The single mothers, or mothers whose spouces are often gone, you shoulder your household and your children often do not see that.

Step mums, you are amazing in your own right! You accept children, who are not yours by blood, as your own. Often times, kids are partial to their birth parents and you need a lot of patience in waiting for them to come to you. I know, I have a wonderful step-mum but it wasn't until recently that I began including her in the Mother package. Just keep holding on. You are wonderful and do a spectacular service.

Mother figures, the children may not be yours but you care for them as if they were. You are a different strength and source of encouragement. I have an aunt who has been in my corner since day one. She is my personal cheer-leader, my voice of reason and my worry stone. In the rare times that I am so upset that I cannot think clearly, she has calmed me and helped me find the light. She has wonderful kids of her own and still finds time for me.

Then, there are those who want to be mothers but may not have them yet or cannot have them at all. I fall in this category. Mother's day is difficult for me, for many reasons. One of them is that my doctors have told me that I may never be able to actually have children of my own. All the stuff is there to get pregnant and carry a child. However, because my vitamins are so low, getting pregnant may just as well be signing my death certificate. Babies will take whatever they need and if I barely have enough for myself because my body isn't absorbing the vitamins like it should or goes through them too fast...well, apparently you can't survive long without any nutrition. I have been married for almost three years now, but I am not a mother, even though I want it so badly.  I have known others in similar situations. It is difficult but there are ways around it. We have all talked about adoption and eventually, my husband and I will be able to become parents.

If you don't have kids, this is still your day. Sure, you may not be a mother but that instinct is still there. Even if you never want to have kids, I won't judge. In fact, there is some need for women who don't want kids, in the career industry. How horrible of me to say, right? But get this: the women who have kids have obligations that trump work (no shaming here either). Those who don't, are the ones who step in so that you can enjoy your child's graduation, care for them when they are sick...etc. Women who don't want to have kids are amazing in their own way. I applaud every person who has kids or doesn't. You all rock!

So, happy Women's Day, to everyone!  To all the mothers, happy Mother's day!

Stay Strong!  Remember that you are beautiful and well loved, and not just on this day.

Special shout outs to:
Lisa (my mother), Debbie (my step-mum) and Aunt Amy (my life cheerleader)! You are amazing and I have been very blessed to have three women who care for me as much as you do.

Lessons Learned From Mom

I have learned many things from my mom as well as my dad. Some of the lessons overlap and there are still lessons that don't.

1. Only you have to be comfortable in your own skin.
2.  If there is something you don't like, change it.
3. Make up is an accessory not an outfit.
4. People do what they believe is right, even when the rest of the world thinks they are wrong.
5. No matter how much you have been hurt or scarred you are NEVER broken
6. Being strong doesn't mean that you never cry and being brave does not mean never walking away
7. For every uphill struggle, there is a downhill coast
8. Don't fear change
9. Forgive quickly
10. Sometimes, all you need to do is listen 
11. Love people for who they ARE, not what you think they should or would be
12. Second chances never run out. The moment you give up on someone is when you will miss the moment you have been waiting for
13. Forgiveness does not let the person off the hook, it simply removes the hook from your own mouth
14. Live with no regrets. There is something to be learned from every mistake
15. A garden was never grown overnight, neither are relationships

What are some life lessons you learned from your mother/mother figure?

Remember that you are beautiful and well loved.