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Since Mother's Day is just around the corner, I wanted to take this time to celebrate those of you who are mother's and mom's. 

I hope you all realize just how important and precious you are to your children, because you are!

For me, my mother was such a huge influence on my life. And although she was my stepmother, she was every bit a real mother to me. She and I had a very special connection. We shared a lot of the same feelings and perspectives on so many things. However, there were also things in which we shared a difference of opinion, yet we respected each other by discussing our differences without getting defensive or nasty. We sensed how far to go and then would back off. We were very attuned to each other's space and boundaries.

And although we lived in different states from 2001 until her passing in 2012, we always stayed connected. It's not like we talked on the phone every single day, or even every week, but when we did talk, it was quality. And we could talk for hours on end; going from one subject to the next -- laughing one minute and introspective the next. Conversations with my mother were more like sharing with a loyal, close friend. 

About three weeks before she passed away, we talked openly about her fear of dying and leaving this earth with regrets; not knowing whether she had been a good mother and doubted some of the choices she had made. It was at that point I got very stern and serious, telling her that I would not allow her to leave this earth with a single regret about being a good mother because she was the best mother I could have been given. I also told her that every choice she had made as our mother were the choices she was supposed to make, so feeling any kind of regret was pointless. She also told me that she was concerned about after she died, would she go to heaven? She was worried that perhaps she hadn't lived a life that made her worthy. And I told her that if anyone was worthy of heaven, she was. 

By the end of our conversation, I could tell that she felt much less anxious and afraid. 

Our conversation that night was as important for me as it was for her because it gave us closure by saying everything we needed to say. What I loved about our relationship was that my mother and I could talk openly about difficult things. We never shied away from them. 

The reason I'm sharing all this with you is because of something that happened to me one day last week. 

I had been thinking of my mother because I knew that Mother's Day was coming up and felt myself missing her. One day while going through a small box of papers, I suddenly discovered a birthday card that she had mailed to me on one of my birthdays. I had thrown away so many things over the years because I don't like clutter, but somehow I kept this card.

And I am so glad I did because it was exactly what I needed on the day that I found it.

I would like to share it with you...



I scanned this card, so you may have difficulty reading it. 

*Here's what she wrote: 

Ron, I am so proud of your courage, all on your own you accomplished many challenges. "You deserve the Best"

Love, Ann & Tipper 

(Tipper is a nickname for my younger brother, Tom)

After reading the card, I held it on my heart and smiled. Because even in heaven, my mother and I remain connected. 

Her love keeps on giving and will forever be a huge influence on my life. 

Thank you, dear lady! 

And know that you are loved, as well.

--------------------------------------------------------------

Happy Mother's Day to each of you! 💗


*This is a tribute video I made of my mother after she passed away. I know that many of my longtime blogging friends may have already seen it, however, I wanted to share it again within this post because it exemplifies what a lovely human being she was. 

Her favorite song was, "Smile"...

36 comments:

  1. Oh Ron, your mother was such a beauty--inside and out. I didn't know you back in 2012, so I had no idea about your mother. I loved reading about your relationship because it sounded so special. How wonderful that you could talk so openly about things. And what Divine synchronicity in discovering the card at the perfect time. She is definitely still watching over you. The video brought tears to my eyes.

    Thank you so much for sharing this post today, Ron. I know your mother is smiling! xo

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  2. Well, I certainly enjoyed that video, especially seeing photos of you with your mom, dad and brother. What a handsome group! When the video started, I was thinking in my head, “What a lovely, classy lady.” Then I got to the crocodile picture. Bahahaha! That was great!

    I have been working on genealogy stuff lately and it’s making me miss my dad so much! I wish I had something that my Dad wrote to me, but he always just signed his name to cards. I’m so glad you kept and found that card. Just what you needed. Thanks for sharing something so intimate. XO

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  3. Ron, this post is so beautiful! I'm not at all surprised to hear how close you and your mother were because of posts you shared in the past in which you mentioned her. And I'm a firm believer that someone does not have to be your birth mother or father to BE your mother or father. And that goes for family members as well. I have some close friends who are like my family members because of the bond we share.

    You mother was such a beautiful woman. In many of the photos you shared in the video, she looked like a movie star! I love the, Smile, as well. And the best version of the song is by Nat King Cole. No one sings it like him.

    I am so happy that you found that birthday card. Isn't it something how we blessed by getting exactly what we need, when we need it?

    Thank you for sharing such an intimate part of your life, Ron. xo

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  4. Thank you, Candice. And she truly was just as beautiful inside because she had a HUGE heart. People who met her instantly loved her.

    Yes, you and I didn't meet until these past several years, so you wouldn't have known about her. She was only 71 when she passed away. So young.

    We could literally talk about anything, that's how comfortable with each other.

    "And what Divine synchronicity in discovering the card at the perfect time."

    YES! And it's so ironic you mentioned those words because I thought the same thing after I found that card. It's felt like DIVINE synchronicity.

    Thank you for stopping by and for your sweet words. Hope you have a faaaaaaabulous rest of your week!

    X

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  5. Thank you, my friend. I know that you probably already saw this video because you and I were blogging way before then. But I felt like I wanted to share it again with this post as a reminder of how lovely she was.

    "When the video started, I was thinking in my head, “What a lovely, classy lady.” Then I got to the crocodile picture. Bahahaha! That was great!"

    Bwhahahahahaha! OMG, I know, can you believe that photograph of her with the crocodile?!? BTW, that photo was taken when my parents were on their honeymoon. They went to Florida for several days. As a kid, I laughed my ass off when I saw that photo. Flawless shot, wasn't it?

    "I have been working on genealogy stuff lately and it’s making me miss my dad so much!"

    Yes, and I completely understand why that would make you miss him because it's like going back to your family roots and reconnecting to your father's legacy. Many years ago, a friend I knew from France did some genealogy on my family history from Italy, and it blew me away at how accurate she was in her research because she knew the names of all my family members on my father's side.

    " I’m so glad you kept and found that card. Just what you needed.'

    Meeeeeeeeeee too! I made me feel so at peace and watched over.

    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Wishing a Happy, Happy Mother's Day!
    X

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  6. Hey there Elaine!

    "And I'm a firm believer that someone does not have to be your birth mother or father to BE your mother or father. And that goes for family members as well. I have some close friends who are like my family members because of the bond we share."

    I LOVED that so much because it's to true! I have some very longstanding, close friends who I definitely consider "my family" because they are. My mother always said to me that out of all her stepchildren, I was the one she felt most close to and that I was "her" child. And I felt the same about her being my "real" mother.

    Thank you, wasn't she a stunning lady? And you're right, she did look like movie star! There was a point in her life when she looked very much like Grace Kelly in photos. Which is ironic because Grace Kelly was from Philadelphia, and so was my mother!

    Yes, hands down, the Nat King Cole version is the BEST! And that's the one my mother loved as well. In fact, we had the Nat King Cole album which had, "Smile", on it.

    Me too. I am so happy and grateful that I found the card.

    Thanks so much for stopping by, neighbor! Wishing you a very Happy Mother's Day!

    X

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  7. Aw, gee, Ron, now you've got me crying! What a lovely tribute to your (step)mom. It looks like she had a good life, a happy life, and it's a blessing that you two were so close. Not everybody has a good relationship with their parents, but having one (putting in the time and effort to understand and accept them and their opinions) can only be beneficial.


    Love those old family photos, too. Who says bell bottoms and long hair are things of the past? Not when I hear they're trying to resurrect mullet hairstyles, ha!


    What timing to find that birthday card from her! I can almost see her smiling and feel the connection between your hearts. Have a lovely weekend, my friend! xo

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  8. Seaside SimplicityWednesday, May 05, 2021

    Ron, this post is such a beautiful tribute to your dear mother. It sure brought tears to my eyes. The photo tribute was so lovely too. I'm so glad you had such a special relationship with her. She was one gorgeous and classy lady, and totally adorable with the gator. I'm glad you were able to comfort each other in the end. Thank you for sharing this with us.

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  9. What a beautiful post, Ron!

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  10. Hey there Debbie!

    I cried too when I was putting this post together; particularly when I decided to add the tribute video I made back in 2012, because I was suddenly flooded with so many bittersweet emotions.

    I feel very blessed to have had the relationship I did with my mother because we were like really good friends, but I also respected her as my mother.

    "Love those old family photos, too. Who says bell bottoms and long hair are things of the past? Not when I hear they're trying to resurrect mullet hairstyles, ha!"

    OMG, yes! Isn't it hysterical to look back on the various hair and clothes styles from previous decades? I remember the first time I got a pair of bell bottoms and thought I was the COOLEST. HA!

    So happy that I found that birthday card. It really touched my heart.

    Thanks so much for stopping by and for your sweet words, my friend. Have a faaaaaaaabulous weekend!!!

    X

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  11. Thank you for your sweet, kind words, Martha!

    Isn't the gator photo adorable? That was taken in Miami, Florida when my parents went on their honeymoon. And it's funny because in 1973, our family moved to South Florida. Florida will always hold such wonderful memories for me.

    It's so hard to fathom that it's been over nine years since she passed, because it seems like it was yesterday. Yes, I am so grateful that we had that time together because it gave us both closure. And a sense of peace.

    Always so nice to see your comments. Thank you for stopping by! Have a great rest of your week!

    X

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  12. Thank you, Rick!

    Hope all is well with you!
    X

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  13. Ron, thank you so much for sharing such a beautiful and intimate experience. I read this post twice because I wanted to fully absorb it. You have such a talent for expressing your feelings. And the video was so moving. Your mother was a beautiful soul, I could see that in the video.

    And I know she smiled when she read this. xo

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  14. " What I loved about our relationship was that my mother and I could talk openly about difficult things. We never shied away from them."

    What an amazing relationship you shared with your mother, Ron. I remember when she passed away and reading about the journey. It's so hard to believe it was that long ago because I feel as though it was only yesterday. I even remember the video and how much it touched me, and still does. I'm so glad you kept the card she gave you because it obviously gave you a sense of peace, knowing that she still watches over you.

    Thank you for sharing, dude. Beautiful!

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  15. Hiya Matt!

    I know, doesn't seem like it was only yesterday? Yet it's been NINE years!

    Me too! I am soooooooooooo glad I saved that card because I remember throwing out a lot of stuff several years ago, when I was going to move to NYC. But for some reason, thank God, I held on to this card.

    Thanks so much for your sweet words and for being there back then. Everyone's support helped so much as I went through it.

    Have a great rest of your week!
    X

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  16. Hello there Clair!

    Thank you! :)
    You know, when I was in my mid-20's, my mother bought me a desk and a typewriter for Christmas one year so that I would use it to practice my writing skills. She always told me that I had a knack for writing. Which is amazing because she knew it, before I knew it. But that's how mother's are, they can just sense things.

    Thank you for stopping by, and for your kind and supportive words! Have a grrrrrrrreat rest of your week!
    X

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  17. "There was a point in her life when she looked very much like Grace Kelly in photos. Which is ironic because Grace Kelly was from Philadelphia, and so was my mother!" Oh, how wonderful was that! And I believe it because you can see the similarities in some of the photos in your video, especially the ones with he blonde hair. Where did Grace Kelly in Philly, do you know?

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  18. Yup, I agree, ESPECIALLY the ones when she had blonde hair!

    Grace Kelly was from East Falls, which is over by the Schuylkill River. Many years ago, I took a bus over to that area and then walked over to the house that she lived in with her family.

    Here's some info. in case you're interested: https://www.today.com/home/grace-kelly-s-childhood-home-philadelphia-opens-public-t128765

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  19. Thanks for the link, Ron. I can't wait to check it out! x

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  20. You're so welcome! It's a really cool article with photos. Enjoy!

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  21. Ron, this is such a beautiful post!

    I love that birthday card and I am so happy that you kept it. Thank you so much for sharing it with us.

    And don't get me started on that video--it was a heartbreaker!

    Isn't amazing how the truly kind, loving people in this world are always the ones who are worried if they were kind and loving enough.

    My mother would worry if she had been a good mother and that she might not get into heaven. I told her if she didn't get into heaven, then we're all going to hell!

    Your mother sounds like such a fabulous lady I actually feel cheated for not getting a chance to meet her.

    If I ever did meet her, though, I would tell her that she raised one fabulous son and that she should be very proud of him!

    Take care, buddy!

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  22. https://consdispdustces.ml

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  23. Ron, that brought tears to my eyes. What a lovely tribute to your mother and what a fantastic message to stumble across. I'm sure that lit up your heart. I absolutely adore synchronicities like that. And as the mother of two sons, I know this relationship from the other side and love them like crazy.

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  24. "Isn't amazing how the truly kind, loving people in this world are always the ones who are worried if they were kind and loving enough."

    Yes, you are so right about that, Rob! My grandfather (my stepmothers' father) felt the same way, and he was truly a saint on the earth.

    "I told her if she didn't get into heaven, then we're all going to hell!"

    LOVED that! That's what I should have said to my mother, she would have had a laugh about that.

    Me too, I am soooooooooooo glad I kept the card because the timing was perfect. I had been thinking about her for days before, and missing her. So reading the card felt like she was saying, "I'm still here with you, Ronnie!"

    Thanks so much for stopping by, and for your sweet and kind words, buddy. I really appreciated that.

    Have a wonderful weekend!

    X

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  25. "And as the mother of two sons, I know this relationship from the other side and love them like crazy."

    Yes, and I know you do because when you've shared stories about them on your blog. I can so tell that you love them and they love you just as much!

    "I'm sure that lit up your heart. I absolutely adore synchronicities like that."


    Yes, it sure did! Don't you love when things like that happen? I was beyond happy that I had saved that card.

    Thanks so much for stopping by, my Libra friend! Have a faaaaaaabulous weekend!

    X

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  26. Ron, your mother was a lovely woman and it shows through in all the images on the video, which I had not seen before. Your relationship was very special indeed. Finding the card when you did seemed perfect especially with the celebration this coming weekend. It must have seemed like she was speaking to you.

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  27. Hi Ron, Your mother was a lovely woman and it shows through in all the images on the video, which I had not seen before. Your relationship was very special indeed. Finding the card when you did seemed perfect especially with the celebration this coming weekend. It must have seemed like she was speaking to you.

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  28. Hi Dorothy!

    I was able to copy and pasted your comment and response here:


    Thank you so much for your email. Sorry to hear about the issue you had signing into Disqus. Sometimes Disqus can act finicky when it comes to passwords. I checked your Disqus account on my end and saw that you originally used this email address (the one you used to send me this email), but it did not show any kind of password. I was hoping to perhaps help you out by checking to see if it stored people's passwords.

    Anyway, thank you for your lovely comment. And yes, finding that card DID make it seem like she was talking to me. So glad I kept that card!

    Have a great weekend. And Happy Mother's Day!

    X

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  29. Hi Ron, I think I have solved the issue of not being able to comment. So I am re-posting the message I sent in my email regarding your tribute to your own mother.
    Your mother was a lovely woman and it shows through in all the images on the video, which I had not seen before. Your relationship was very special indeed. Finding the card when you did seemed perfect especially with the celebration this coming weekend. It must have seemed like she was speaking to you.

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  30. That's AWESOME, D!

    So happy to hear that you solved the issue. Way to go!

    And yes, finding that card DID make it seem like she was talking to me. So glad I kept that card!

    Have a great weekend. And Happy Mother's Day! X

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  31. Hello, Ron!!! You've always honored your mom and that's truly a beautiful thing. I've seen the photos, but that's always something nice to experience again... good memories!! She was a lovely lady, I know how you miss her. ((HUG)) She was too young at her passing, my mom too (only 69) so the holiday weekend is always a little bittersweet.
    I'm glad you saved the card and came across it when you did.
    Thanks for the good wishes.
    Oh, btw, this is Mary... your long, long, long lost blogging friend who just pops in way too infrequently to remember. hahaha

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  32. Hellooooooooooooooooooo Mary!

    I was so HAPPY to see your comment here today. And of course I remember you LOL! In fact, you and have been blogging together longer than any other of my blogging friends, back at the start of both our blogs.

    Thank you so much for your sweet, kind, and touching words. Yes, exactly, I wanted to share the video again because it felt so appropriate with this Mother's Day post.

    "She was too young at her passing, my mom too (only 69) so the holiday weekend is always a little bittersweet."

    Yes, bittersweet indeed. For both of us. And you're right, our mothers were way too young when they passed away.

    Hope all is well with you and your family. Wishing you a BEAUTIFUL Mother's Day tomorrow!

    Thanks again for stopping by, dear friend!

    (((((((((((((((((((( YOU ))))))))))))))))))))))))

    X

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  33. http://ladyfi.wordpress.comMonday, May 17, 2021

    There are many kinds of mothers ... what a lovely tribute.

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  34. You are so right, Fiona, there are many kinds of mothers.

    Thank you so much for stopping by, my friend. Happy Mother's Day to you!

    X

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  35. The grace you showed during the end of her life is beautiful. I'm sure you eased her fears with your heartfelt words. She certainly was a lovely woman and we can see the joy she had for life in your tribute. And what a wonderful sentiment in her card to you; such a treasure. I also keep certain cards from others for just this reason! I have cares from Entrepreneur, his parents and my mom stashed away for keeping. X

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  36. Thank you so much for your sweet and kind words, Lisa!

    And yes, I am sooooooooooo glad and happy that I kept that card because as you said, such a treasure!

    And good for you for stashing away your cards because you never know when reading them again in the future will be a blessing.

    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend! X

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