02/23/2026
As I stood before my mother yesterday, just before the snow arrived, I was overwhelmed with gratitude for the rock that has been her presence in my life since the very beginning. Watching her stand strong, a testament to her unyielding resilience, I was reminded of the journey we've shared - one marked by her unwavering determination to live life to the fullest despite the challenges of raising a child with cystic fibrosis. My parents' 50-year journey together, built on a foundation of love and strength, has been a beacon of hope, not just for our family, but for the many foster children they've supported over the years. Through trials and tribulations with my siblings and me, they've stood firm, doing their best with the wisdom they had, and later, caring for their own parents. Now, with five generations having passed, my mother stands at 90, a great-grandmother to two precious little girls, and I am struck by the swiftness with which time has flown. We've spent recent years healing, but I believe it's time to shift our focus towards celebrating the beauty of life and honoring one another. Having missed celebrating my mom's birthday last June, I feel it's imperative we seize this moment to appreciate each other. My mom - a pillar of strength, determination, and unwavering resolve - has been someone I've gotten to know even more profoundly as I've become a grandma myself. She is the embodiment of the woman I aspire to be, and I'm grateful for the bond we've formed. Today, I want to extend celebration to all mothers, grandmothers, great-grandmothers, and to every woman who embodies motherly love - whether through biological ties or the love they've shared. To all the divine feminine energies in our lives, I pay tribute to you. Let's stand together, uplift each other, and celebrate the essence of womanhood. To every mom who's felt unseen, every voice that went unheard, I see you, and I celebrate you.