I have had amazing women in my life.

My two grandmothers could not have been more different from each other.

My Grandma Monroe was one of my favorite people.  My Mom was an only child so, after my Grandfather’s death, Grandma Monroe moved with us.  She never lived with us, but always in her own apartment or house near us.  I spent many weekend nights with her – as did my brother.  She would always make us our favorite meal, we would play cards,  and then we would watch Saturday night television – which at that time consisted of the Mary Tyler Moore, Bob Newhart and Carol Burnett shows.  And we would laugh – a lot.  When I was in high school, my three friends and I would leave at the beginning of track practice to go on a “long run”.  We would run to my Grandmother’s house (less than a quarter-mile from school) where she would have the poker chips and cards ready.  We would play poker with her for an hour, splash water on ourselves and then jog back.

I was a little intimidated by my Grandmother Williams when I was younger.  She was an incredibly strong woman –  she graduated from the University of Michigan in 1933.  She was bright, opinionated and used to having her way.  She was tough – at times not easy on a chubby and awkward kid.  She was also a bit of an enigma to me – I watched her be so capable of dealing with the political world and powerful people, yet mundane household tasks were not her forte.  She was not openly affectionate – very different from my Grandma Monroe.  When I went to kiss my Grandmother Williams, she turned her face and offered to me her cheek.  As I got older, I realized that it was not that she didn’t love – she loved very strongly, but she expressed it differently.  She devoted much of her life to public service and was very compassionate about helping those who needed aid.  She was a huge supporter and advocate of me in my career – and always had sage advice.  Grandma came to live out the end of her life with us. I  saw her be vulnerable – something I had never seen.  She would tell me about her parents and her life growing up – stories that I had never heard.  I am very grateful for that time with her.

I am one of the few people I know that can say that my childhood was idyllic.  I am so grateful to both of my parents – however, as this post is in celebration of mothers, I will focus on my mother – the single most influential female in my life.  If someone asked me to name a constant theme of my life – an idea or notion that has always been present in my life and that has given me strength, courage and peace  – I would have to say it is the knowledge that my Mama loves me.  From the time my brother and I woke up in the morning to when we went to bed, we were her focus.  She was our best friend and playmate – and she was (and is) FUN.  No matter how hard school was, I knew that I was coming home to a safe and happy haven.  I do not remember chaos or disorder ever – my memories are of my Mom always being in control of the household, managing everything for all of us, including the many beloved pets that lived with us.  And I didn’t realize this at the time, but see it looking at old pictures and reflecting back – she was pretty glamorous too.  As I struggle with these things in my life now, I realize what an accomplishment that was – and what hard work was involved.   My Mom is loving, nurturing, fiercely protective, emotional and kind.  I strive to be more like her and I thank God for her everyday.

On a lighter note – I, too, am a mother – to these wonderful, loving and crazy creatures, who make me laugh daily.

my watchdogs – and why I live in fear that someone will ring my doorbell

Snow bullies

Oprah – the alpha animal of the house