Written August 9, 2021

Today is my mom’s birthday and this picture speaks volumes. My mom (and dad but we’re talking about her as it’s her day) is one of the most selfless, kind and thoughtful people I know. Need someone to listen- just listen and not give advice? You call my mom. Need that pasta bake recipe for the 76th time because you keep forgetting to save it? Call my mom. Don’t know what to do about this phase your kid is in, the hard conversation you just had or the tricky situation at work? Call my mom.

She won’t take credit for her hard work or her valuable tidbits but she will make sure you feel like the shining star that you’re meant to be, and are, in her eyes.

My mom knows when to pick a battle and when to let it go (which may have something to do with that smoldering poster of Tom Selleck that hung on the wall of my grandparents’ house for years). At those holiday dinners it was Tom S. who watched over all of us, and he did a fine job.

My mom is the holder of the traditions, endless handwritten lists and schedules and her color-coded post-it system to ensure my brother graduated college in four years lives in some advisor’s thesis titled, “This woman deserves a lifetime achievement award for organization, if only she would accept this award.”

It’s my mom’s birthday today so please join Tom S. and I in wishing her the best day, since she won’t accept the awards, where all her wishes and post-it reminders come true.

Happy birthday Mom!