Happy Mother's Day

Since my mom's passing, this day has always been rough on me.  It's a day of appreciation for your mother - the woman who bore you, raised you, made you into the person you are today (for the most part). 

My mom was a huge influence in our lives, growing up.  I can see bits and pieces of her in my sisters and I:  the way my eldest sister can never sit still and always has to have something on the go; the gentle quietness that she passed down to my middle sister; her sense of adventure, tempered with sensibility that I inherited (okay, maybe not the sensible part, so much...)

I think, as with all things, we sometimes take things for granted and never truly appreciate them until they are gone from our lives.  It makes me so very sad to think of my children's future, bereft of their loving, kind and generous maternal grandmother.  That my daughter will never know her Nonna (grandmother in Italian) is simply heartbreaking.

So, on this Mother's Day, I wish you the happiest of Mother's Days.  And while you should delight in your role of Mom (if applicable), also take the time to reflect and be thankful for your mother.  Call her and tell her you love her, appreciate her and am so very grateful for her.  Because one day, you may not have the chance.

Happy Mother's Day, Mom - I love you.

Gina Puglia

1930 - 2004