A Tribute to my Mom

My Dad died when I was 5 leaving my Mom to raise 5 kids ranging from 4 years old to 11 years old. She had an 8th grade education, never worked and couldn't even drive. But somehow she found the strength to overcome all obstacles in the 50's to raise us and love us.
She raised five kids with five different personalities and did this with a wisdom that I never realized until I was much older. I was the stubborn, hardheaded one of the bunch and she knew that whipping me would do no good. So she found other ways to get to me. She also found a different way to get each of my brothers to listen.
We didn't have anything growing up. Lots of times in the winter, we went cold and hungry. But we always knew that we had each other and we always, always had our Mom! Thinking back, I don't think I would have wanted it any other way because we grew up with a bond between us that still cannot be broken. Mom taught us to be honest and hard working. She taught us to be kind and forgiving. (I didn't listen very well to that lesson)LOL But most of all she taught us to trust in God.
The one lesson I learned from my Mom is that no two children are the same. You cannot love them the same and you cannot discipline them the same. You have to know each personality and be willing to accept each child for who they are. In doing so you teach them to be proud of who they are and they can grow to be responsible adults and pass that teaching on to their children.
Mom passed away in 2003 and it left a whole in my heart that cannot be filled; a pain that cannot be healed. We were very close. I lived next door and we went everywhere together. Not only did I lose my Mom, I lost my very best friend.
I received this letter in an email and I would like to share it with you this Mother's Day

Mothers
Real Mothers don't eat quiche; they don't have time to make it. Real Mothers know that their kitchen utensils are probably in the sandbox. Real Mothers often have sticky floors, filthy ovens and happy kids. Real Mothers know that dried play dough doesn't come out of carpets. Real Mothers don't want to know what the vacuum just sucked up. Real Mothres sometimes ask "Why me?" and get their answer when a little voice says, "Because I love you best." Real Mothers know that a child's growth is not measured by height or years or grade... It is marked by the progression of Mommy to Mom to Mother...
4 Years of Age- My Mommy can do anything!
8 years of age- My Mom knows a lot! A whole lot!
12 years of age- My Mother doesn't really know quite everything.
14 years of age- Naturally, Mother doesn't know that, either.
16 years of age- Mother? She's hopelessly old-fashioned
25 years of age- Well, she might know a little bit about it!
35 years of age- Before we decide, let's get Mom's opinion.
45 years of age- Wonder what Mom would have thought about it?
65 years of age- Wish I could talk it over with Mom
The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries or the way she combs her hair.
The beauty of a woman must be seen from in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides.
The beauty of a woman is not in a facial mole, but true beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul. It is the caring that she lovingly gives, the passion that she shows, and the beauty of a woman with passing years only grows!
My Mom was a REAL WOMAN and the best Mom in the world! I thank God for having a REAL MOM!
HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!