A VERY Special Mother's Day

My mother, Mary, and my daughter, Mandy, 2011

My mother has had a difficult year – several falls, a fracture or two, in-and-out of the hospital and rehab. Yet, nearing 90, she has managed to struggle through it all.

Mom comes from hearty stock. Her parents came from Musa Dagh, where hard work and struggling were part of everyday life. Fortunately, my grandparents were able to escape to America to start their lives from scratch.

My mother’s work ethic is unmatched – she held a full-time position  working for the State of NJ for about 40 years, maintained the home, raised 3 children, taught Sunday School for 20 years, earned an Associates’ Degree after putting us through college, and so much more. Did I mention that she continued to work until age 84?

Growing up, we lived on the first floor of my grandparents’ 2-family house. They lived upstairs because Nanny felt safer at a higher altitude. My aunt and uncle lived next door. We did everything together.

When our expanding family outgrew the first floor space (5 people sharing 2 bedrooms and one bath was a stretch), my parents bought a single-family home 1 mile away from the rest of the family. My grandmother was NOT pleased!

One year after our marriage, Doug and I moved to south Florida for a job opportunity, and we’ve been here ever since - 34 years and counting. Needless to say, we’ve missed a lot of family time.

I’m thrilled that today I’m in NJ spending time with my mother, my sister, my niece, and my own daughter who lives in Manhattan.

This is a Mother’s Day I will always cherish!