What About Your Mom are You Most Grateful For? Here's Mine

Wishing all of the mothers in Tyler, Longview, Kilgore, Texas, and ALL OVER East Texas a very Happy Mothers Day Week!

What would we do without our mothers? Our mothers were our first experience of what it means to be alive. We don't typically have memories in the womb, of course. However, our Moms are usually among our very first memories.

My first cognitive memory is of standing in my crib, bouncing on that buoyant mattress, with the sunlight streaming through the window behind me. I remember being happy when I saw my lovely, smiling mother walk through the door. I don't remember what she said, but I do remember the sweetness of her tone of voice.

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My mother taught me about what is kind and beautiful in the world--and what TRUE beauty really means.

She taught me the beauty of kindness, how to treat people with respect, how to make some of my favorite recipes, and that I don't always have to look at life with the sometimes overly melancholy perspective I can tend to have.

Many, many things.

Me, Mom, and Tonya at my sister's wedding.

All mothers are different, of course. The lessons and gifts you received from your mom may be quite different.

One thing many of us have in common is that we benefited from the immense love and life-long care our mothers have given, and still give, to us.

Mothers RARELY receive the credit they deserve. We get so used to having a sense of unconditional love and care, that we sometimes forget how much of their lives they've devoted to helping us become the people we are today.

Always beautiful, inside and out.

Please take a moment and tell your mom you're thinking of her, or that you love her. Moms don't always ask for the praise they deserve. Let's praise them doubly so, then.

Let's make this one extra special. Take a few moments and really think about what your mom in particular would truly love this year. I bet just spending time together and lots of hugs are high on that list.

If you are missing your mother today, please know you're not alone. Sending you much love. To those who are struggling today because you wanted to be a mother and life didn't work out that way for you. Please know you're not alone in that heart space, either.

Finally, to all of the mother figures, stepmoms, pet moms, all of you---Thank you for your love.

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