Mothers Day is a day to celebrate motherhood. For me, it’s a holiday stuffed with wonderful memories from my past.

As a child, I was privileged to live in a house where holiday’s were always huge events! My Dad loved any and all occasions that involved gift giving. Friends and family joked about his Christmas shopping in the middle of the summer!

My Dad had this magnetic personality. People were drawn to him and he made everyone feel incredibly special. His ability to work with very little and make it GRAND was his craft. Yes, holiday’s at our house were huge!

This year I decided to give “love” on Mothers Day, and pay homage to a few phenomenal women who, through the years, have opened up and offered up invaluable life lessons about motherhood. To say “they showed me the way” is an understatement.

But first – It only makes sense that I start with those who’ve made it possible for me to be one of the millions celebrated this Mothers Day…

First I must thank my daughter Tiffany. I appreciate our relationship so much. She will never know how terrified I was when she was born. I was a military wife, and we were a gazillion miles away from family members. For months I couldn’t fathom I was somebody’s mother. Yet she survived me, as I struggled and learned. I love dearly the woman she has become…

Before my son was born, I’d heard countless stories about the special bond between a mother and her son. I questioned it until I held him in my arms for the very first time. He stole my heart, and it’s his to keep – I’ll never ask for it back…

When I told you about my Dad’s holiday excitement, Mothers Day was no exception. He would begin planning almost immediately after Easter! To ensure I had sufficient funds to spend at Woolworth’s (New York City’s famous “Five & Dime” store), he would “hire me” to do odd jobs around the house so I could earn some “shopping money.”

For Mother’s Day he taught me to extend my gift list of cards and trinkets beyond my Mom…

If I had a flower for each time I thought of My Mother, I could walk in my garden forever. – Unknown

As I shopped we would talk about the women who were influences in my life, and I always managed to find and give them some totally useless gift.

On the top of my list was my Grandmother. She lived long enough to share her parenting wisdom with me when I became a mother. Caring, understanding, and kind, she oozed love. I learned a great deal from her, however, I never seemed to grasp her cooking skills…

My Godmother Aunt Sherrie, (my Mother’s BFF for more than 60 years) lived down the street. Lively, vibrant, out spoken and high-spirited, she still inspires me in many ways…

Our next door neighbor, Ms. Perry loved me, yelled at me, spanked me, and shared her tomatoes and fresh baked goods from across the backyard fence…

My Grandmother, Aunt Sherrie and Ms. Perry are all gone now, along with countless other women who taught, advised, guided, and showed me -through their sacrifices and unlimited love – just what being a mother was/is all about.

Girlfriends, sisters, and “especially” my Mother-in-law Jo, all shared their knowledge, successes and failures when we talked about raising children. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for being so brutally honest with me. I really did “stop, look & listen” when you told me to. I pray you have a spectacular Mother’s Day.

And you know this post would not be complete if I didn’t mention the unconditional love, licks, and tail wags I receive DAILY from my Boys. Their devotion to me is as dependable as the moon rising after the sun sets. Every day all day they make sure I’m reminded just how much they love their Doodle Mom. That’s why I will continue to share them as much as I can with all of you – so you too can feel all the doodle love you want….

Enjoy your special day…

…and if you can, make it special for someone else as well…