What was your Mom like when you were a child?

My earliest memories of my mother are when it was just the two of us.

She was (and still is) very creative and so we did crafts together, and she helped make everyday events memorable, like the first time I ever had fresh coconut. She took her mother role very seriously and was dedicated to ensuring I learned how to be a lady, sit up straight, eat my vegetables, and use good grammar, all while also encouraging my interests.

She tended to function in overdrive much of the time, and there were many times later as a teenager when she would be so enthralled in projects that she’d neglect her health and wind up very sick. She didn’t tolerate complaining and had high expectations for those around her.

The most important lesson I gained from my mother was the concept that I could do anything if I worked hard enough at it. Today, though we live over a thousand miles away from one another, we still manage to spend time together either by visits or through vacations together and I look forward to our talks. There’s always lots of good heart to hearts and plenty of laughs.

I’m thankful to have such a strong bond that has stood the test of time and hope that will always be the case.