In honor of Mother’s Day, I would like to write about my mother.  Most of you know her and love her a much as I do.  For those of you who do not know her, let me tell you about her…

She is beautiful.  The epitome of a southern lady.  Always perfectly put together, from head to toe.  Sporting her bright, stylish clothes, coordinating Kendra Scott jewelry, fun handbag, acrylic nails and painted toenails, sunglasses in every color and always smelling amazing.  She exudes charm and manners and simply glows.

But what is more beautiful than her outward appearance, is her heart.  She has the biggest heart of anyone I have ever known.  So warm and loving.  Completely selfless.  So ready to help anyone at any time.  She gives so much of herself to so many, but most of all, to me, her only child.

She is my everything.  My very best friend.  My mentor.  My advocate.  My cheerleader.  My spiritual advisor.  My counselor.  My companion for fun.  My sounding board.  My shoulder.  My calming force.  My rock.

She knows every fiber of my being.  Who I really am.  What makes me tick.  All of my imperfections.  Everything from my mistakes to my greatest moments.  She loves me deeply, fiercely and unconditionally.

She is a part of my daily life.  I depend on her.  I need her.  I look forward to our four to five times a day conversations.  I truly enjoy her company.  We share a love of sunshine, the beach and a good glass of champagne!

She is a deeply spiritual, faith-filled woman.  So devoted the Catholic faith.  A true disciple.  Always leading me, by example, guiding me, continually making me yearn to be the very best version of myself.  To live my life as Jesus would.  To live a life filled with joy and purpose and service to others.

She has formed me into the person that I am, the friend that I am, the mother that I am, the wife that I am and the Catholic that I am.  I hope that I make her proud.

This past year, since the death of my dad, she has shown me what it is like to TRULY live your faith.  To TRULY trust in God’s plan.  To be knocked down, to lose your soulmate, to have your heart broken, to have your world fall apart and to not crumble but instead…

TO BLOOM.  TO STAND TALL.  TO FACE EACH DAY WITH PRAYER AND ACCEPTANCE.  JESUS I TRUST IN YOU.

I have never in my life witnessed such strength and grace and complete and total faith in God’s plan.  To find light in her darkness.  To choose to find her joy amidst the sadness.

If you know her, consider yourself blessed.

I love you mom, with all of my heart.  Our relationship is one of my most cherished blessings.

Happy Mother’s Day to my mother and all the mothers out there.

There is no love like a mother’s love.