a tribute to my sunshine

this is an award-winning photo of my mom taken in 1963 by her talented neighbor. she must have been about five years old. i love to look at this photo of my little mommy. her smile is still so bright!

a few years after this photo was taken, my mother's world was changed when she lost her sixteen year old sister in a tragic car accident. then ten years later, her father suffered a fatal heart attack in their home. my heart aches when i think of the sorrow my mom had to endure as a young girl.

growing up, my mother would talk to us about her losses. this is one of my favorite qualities in my mom. she wears her heart on her sleeve, and she shares things with us that other mothers would try to shelter from their children. she taught me to believe in love and angels and to treat people as though it was the last time you may see them, because you just never know.

 my mom being silly with my free martha apron during a trip to visit my sister in california

despite (or because of) her dark times, my mother's light shines like the sun. she dedicated her life to being the most loving daughter, mom and grandmom. there is nothing she wouldn't do for her family. i've been a witness to her selflessness on so many occasions.

last year my mother cared for our grandmother so tenderly, it was like watching an angel. most people would not have been able to do what my mother did. it was too much for me at times, but never for my mom. she made my grandmother's passing such a peaceful one.

my brother and sister can tell you that our mother is a ray of sunshine on the darkest days. she is the one we go to when the world turns its back on us. she loves her children unconditionally and listens to us with an open mind and heart. we've made many mistakes and some of our choices would have scared other parents. i'm sure my mom was/is afraid for us, but she doesn't take her fears out on us. she trusts our decisions and supports us no matter what, which gives us the confidence to follow our hearts.

words cannot express how grateful i am for my mother and the lives she and my father created for us. life leads us in different directions, but with strong roots, our love continues to grow.

happy mother's day.

xoxoxo