Let me tell you a little bit about my Mom

[Ava]

My Mom was a single mom who raised me and my brother. She worked nights as a nurse, went to law school during the day, and still found time to spend with us every single day. I was raised to be open minded and have compassion and empathy. Just a few examples: I wasn't brought up to see people by the color of their skin. I knew that people came in different shapes, sizes, and colors. And it wasn't until midway through grade school before I ever knew there was such a thing as being "gay." It wasn't that I had not met gay people or that I didn't know that they were couples of the same gender... but rather I didn't think anything of it. A couple was just a couple to me.. not a gay or straight couple... I never even though twice about it. My Mom raised me to think with an open mind and for myself. She raised me to believe in good and believe that one person can make a difference, and to always have compassion for others.

A few years ago I started my site. At first it was just a small webpage on a free server, and when I first started it my Mom didn't even know until I had completed putting it all together and putting it up. I brought her to the computer to see what I had created and if it were not for her support from that moment forward my website wouldn't be what it is today and I wouldn't be the person I am today.

As I think back now I realize why it is that I am the open minded and politically active and aware person that I am today - because of my Mom. She often tells me that I inspire her, but sometimes I wonder if she realizes how much she inspires me every day.

Happy Mothers Day to my Mom, who I can say without a doubt I believe is the coolest, kindest, awesomest Mom out there.

[Haole Girl]

1. Oh Ava...

Your thread made me cry... you are so ahead of your time (you always have been)... so wise, smart, and compassionate. You *and* your Mom are lucky to have each other. :hug:

[GreenPartyVoter]

2. Nice props, kiddo! I only hope my kids think that much of me *hugs*

[datasuspect]

3. a little about my mother

she was born during WWII during the blitz in london.

that was when hitler bombed britain while targeting civilians, military, and industrial targets.

my grandmother had my mother at a time when an unmarried woman who had a kid was really looked down on. in fact, there were lots of agencies in place to basically confiscate children from unwed mothers.

anyway, grandma kept my mom and never let her go.

they emigrated to the US after the war. my grandma had married a u.s. navy guy and they settled in chicago.

my mother has always been an outspoken person who really cares about people first and doesn't usually judge people on what bad things they might have done in the past.

i know i have disappointed my mother many times, and she knows things that i have done that i would never tell anyone else and she doesn't hold it against me as much as she just wants me to do better and to be happy.

my grandmother had a beautiful singing voice. she was dyed in the wool cockney until the day she died and mostly batshit crazy.

but she always was interested in what i had to say. always made it seem that whatever little thing i was doing was really important. she was proud when i stopped off at her house and she realized that i wore a tie to work.

my grandma died in 1999. it took her weeks to die. she kept holding on. well after she had lost consciousness.

the day of the funeral there was a blizzard in chicago. we had to drive from 26th and canal to 87th and kedzie in whiteout conditions. they couldn't put her in the earth that day. so we had a "graveside service" inside the mausoleum and they left her in the casket there until they could resume normal operations.

but part of me knows she wouldn't have had it any other way. it was final "screw you!" to everyone it seems.

the point being that my mom and her mom were very strong female presences in my life and i looked to them for practically everything i needed growing up. and they never let me down.




i'm glad that you are the thoughtful person that you are. your mom did a great job raising you!

[lightningandsnow]

4. Aww... that was an awesome post!

Your mother is awesome. And you are too. :hug:

[avasmom]

5. made me cry...

she's a wonderful daughter- i have learned more from my kids than i could ever teach them... they are treasures!

ava, thanks sweetie...

-ma-

[Ava]

7. ....

:hug:

[Zuiderelle]

6. That's very sweet. Sounds like a great mom who has a great kid.