As mother's day approaches I can only be awed by the blessing of the woman who is my mother. At 86, she one of the most precious persons in my life and I will always be grateful to her for the sacrifices she made for me, beginning with leaving the only home she ever knew with only a dream of having a better life in America.
My Mom and Dad grew up in Yugoslavia with not a lot of anything. Although they lived in cities about 35 minutes apart, they actually met in the United States. They each lost a brother during the war. My Uncle Frank was only 21 when he was killed and my grandfather found out about his death when a close friend of the family tapped on the window and told him his son would not be coming home.
There is no question that they had a hard life growing up like so many who eventually immigrated to the United States as my parents did. Neither of my parents spoke any English when they got here and they worked hard to learn the language. My father went to Fenn College (now Cleveland State university) to earn his degree in civil engineering. He was just finishing up shortly after I (the last of 4 ) was born. So it was school, 4 kids, and work! One of his younger engineer friends to whom my father was a mentor used to joke with him and tell him he had broken English, but now after over 50 years here he has good broken English.
My mom was a stay at home mom who really took care of us. There was always ( and I mean 7 days a week) a home cooked meal on the table, clean clothes, a comfy bed, a modest but well kept home. As I got older, Mom would have a hot cup of coffee waiting on the stove for me every morning, which I let get cold by my refusal to get out of bed. But there it was evey morning without fail. I was a pretty good kid but I always blamed her when I couldn't find something and she would patiently suggest places I might have left the item I was looking for. My daughter occasionally does this to me too so now I know what it's like to be on the receiving end. LOL
My Mom took care of the finances, balancing "the books" every month. She was very fancy with it...she used a spiral bound paper notebook! Each month she would write down the amount of my father's paycheck and then enter every last penny they spent. She almost always balanced either to the penny or with a few cents. I cannot make that same claim to fame. I know I would be appalled at how much we spend going out to dinner every month. But I did learn from both my parents about how to save and not overextend myself.
I really do believe I am who I am and have what I have because of my parents. My husband and I have worked hard throughout our lives but without the start our parents gave us and the sacrifices they made we would not be where we are today.
Here are a few pictures from our dinner last weekend at the Outback. At the ages of 85 and 86, they still enjoy going out, shopping together and going to daily Mass.
I will leave you with something my Dad said to me about my Mom after I was already married and out of the house.
"I could dress your Mom in gold from head to toe and it would still not repay her for all she has done for me and for you children"
Isn't that beautiful?
Happy Mother's Day Mom. I love you!!!!!!
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