This post is a tribute to positive and encouraging mothers. There was plenty of negative news surrounding Mother’s Day this past weekend, including a news story about four Chicago moms who lost their lives in a car crash, and an article about Johnny Carson’s mother who “told him he wasn’t funny” and “withheld her…approval and love” from him throughout his lifetime (potentially resulting in three failed marriages).
After reading these articles, I wanted to post something positive. I realize my family probably is, as the Occupy Wall Street protesters claim, part of “the one percent,” but, all materialistic qualifications aside, I am still one of the luckiest and most blessed daughters in the world. My mother is always encouraging, always loving, and never judging – though, ready to come out with both guns blazing when she needs to (idealists like me need reality checks every once in a while). She set the bar high by graduating “summa cum laude” from Illinois College in Jackson, Ill. (an academic standard I haven’t come close to meeting – she’s basically a genius), but her encouragement is the reason I’m studying at Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism right now. Without her encouragement and love, I never would have made it through the tough times, and, probably wouldn’t be blogging right now!
As amazing as the little miracles I see every day are, nothing compares to the miracle of motherhood. I am eternally grateful for the positive influence my mother has been in my life, and can only hope I will become half the quality mother my mom is when I have children of my own.
Here’s a recent glimpse into my mom’s persistent encouragement pertaining to the rat race (also known as job hunt) I’m currently a part of – she’d prefer I not join my twin sister in Los Angeles to pursue a career (if I do, look out Mary Kate and Ashley!), but I’m sharing this as advice for anyone and everyone looking for a job right now:
“I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy…” -Philippians 1-