Often times there are people in your life that don’t get nearly as much appreciation as they deserve.
I mean first things first, mother’s first off give you everything- LIFE. They carry you around in their belly, get all stretched out and fat lugging your pre-born self all over the place and I don’t even want to go into the whole birth thing and how messed up it is to see something the size of a smallish watermellon come out a coochie.
The amount of love and support and work that goes into raising a child is mind boggling but somehow we bounce along as we get older and lose sight of just how much our mothers have done for us.
This year as those of you that are close to me know, we had to put my dad in a nursing home for his alzheimer’s. Mom tried to keep him home as long as she could but the time came where she just couldn’t provide the 24/7 care he needed. She took a job at Seacoast Nursing Home to work and be able to still spend lots of time with him and the care the staff provides knowing how much they care for him is the only thing that allows me to sleep at night.
I’m going to be all over the place but please bear with me.
The point I’m trying to make is that through GMG, the opportunities to be able to help other people have been many. The accolades that we’ve received many as well- CBS Boston’s Most Valuable Blogger, The Community Recognition Award from the Unitarian Church, The Golden Sou’Wester Award from Discover Gloucester, Action Inc’s Community Outreach Award, US Congress Special Recognition award from Congressman Tierney,Special Recognition From the Mass Senate from Bruce Tarr and Ann Margaret.
Though I do not credit my mother nearly enough for all she has done (does any child?) the fact is that the part of me that created GoodMorningGloucester and the reasons behind it are mostly due to the characteristics in me that I got from my mother.
When I had a school project in middle School she would sit down with me and we would work together and when there was supposed to be one posterboard sized presentation for a school project she would help me along and we would make 10 panels. Nothing was ever done half way. Everything over the top.
The desire to create- from her. The desire to please others- from her. The desire to have parties and entertain- from her. Her neurosis and anxiety, yeah I got that too although thankfully I have the blog to bang away at and throw that nervous energy into something positive.
But the blog is what it is because of many of the traits genetic and learned from one incredible woman. My mom.
Oh and by the way, Sista Felicia always credits our Grandmother Felicia who undoubtedly was the all time greatest cook but the fact is that our mom was no slouch in the kitchen and she spent way more hours alongside her than our grandmother preparing incredible meals for our dad who worked like an animal alongside his brother Charlie and grandfather Captain Joe.
In this most difficult year, the year we had to put dad in the nursing home you’ve handled yourself with such dignity and grace even through what has to be the toughest year of your life. You’re still as beautiful as ever (all my friends used to tell me how beautiful my mom is when we were growing up). I’m so proud to say that you’re my mom, so thankful for all the support you’ve given me to get me to this point with this medium where I can help others and bring people together just the way you always have done throughout your life.
So mom if you ever get around to reading this because I know you are incredibly computer challenged (one thing I did not get from you) know that even though I don’t express it nearly enough, I want you to know that I know it was you more than anyone who made me who I am today. I love you and as you already probably know this as every mother knows- I’ll never be able to thank you enough.