This Sunday is Mother's Day. It's a day to honor not only our mothers but all of the important women in our life. It's a time to say thank you and a time to be grateful. So much of who we are we owe to them. They love, teach and guide us all of our lives. I personally feel I would not be the mother I am today without the love and support of my own mother. The dedication and commitment she has shown her family over the years is truly admirable and I am a better person because of it. Today I thought I would share some favorite photos of the most influential women in my life. They have shared so many wonderful gifts through the generations and although some of them are no longer with us, their gifts will be present forever. Happy Friday!
This is my maternal grandmother. She was an amazing woman. She loved unconditionally, had tremendous faith and a compassionate heart. She touched everyone's life in a positive way and treated every person she met with love and respect. She was full of wisdom and an absolute joy to be around. She was an amazing role model.
This is my paternal grandmother. As an Italian immigrant, she worked hard to create a better life for her family. Hearing the stories of her voyage to the United States and all that she had to go through as a young mother traveling alone, makes her a hero in my eyes. Having a conversation with her was a history lesson that I only learned to appreciate once I grew up. Her cooking skills were something not many of us have mastered but what we did learn made us better in the kitchen. She was a wonderful woman.
This is my own mother. I could write a book about her. She has shared so many gifts I will forever be grateful for. My creativity, love of tradition and dedication to my family are some of the things I have learned from her. She always celebrated the little things in life and still does. She knows how to find the joy in anything and would rather take a last minute trip to the zoo with her great grandchild than cross something off of her to-do list. She is a wonderful mother, grandmother and now a friend. I feel blessed that I live close to her and have the opportunity to spend so much time with her. She is amazing.
This is one of my favorite pictures of my four children. It was taken 15 years ago in one of our favorite places, Stone Harbor, NJ. When I look at this picture, I see four beautiful people who have made my life complete. From the time they were little we have been making wonderful memories. We played in the sand, danced in the rain, ate ice cream late at night in pajamas and sprayed silly string all over the yard, just because. It has been a privilege to be the mother of these great kids and I have loved every minute of it. To me, this weekend is about them.
This is my daughter Lauren with her son Braden. I will never forget the day he was born. It was one of the happiest days of my life. You can't imagine a joy greater than your own child until you have a grandchild. The past two years have been some of the best in my life.
I hope you all have a wonderful weekend! Take time to be grateful for the people in your life. Thank them and show them you care and remember you just might be a bright spot in their life too!
Happy Mother's Day!
Leslie xo
Photo of Lauren and Braden by Mariclare Lavelle