Patty ShaughnessyAs I approach my 53rd birthday I have been reminded of birthdays past and sharing them with my Mom.
My Mom passed away 3 years ago and I think of her constantly.
Some of the best gifts I ever received were from my Mom. I am not talking about material gifts because honestly none come to mind as being unforgettable or great or even memorable.
The gifts I am talking about are of the non material type.
Gifts like the love of music of her generation (Judy Garland, Tony Bennett, Nat King Cole and yes even Engelbert Humperdinck)
Gift like the love of old movies and musicals.
Gifts like the love of the beach (even the local city beaches).
Gifts like the love of a small postage size garden in the city full of rose bushes.
Gifts like the love of reading by introducing me to the bookmobile and Highlights magazine.
Gifts like my initiation to the world of travelling (specifically that trip to California at age 11)
But the most special gift she ever gave me was her unconditional love.
Whatever the problem, crisis or catastrophe of the time, my Mom always had my back.
She was the one to talk to when things were at their worst, when I had done something really bad or when I had no one else to turn to. Just to hear her voice would put things back into perspective and I knew that “tomorrow is another day” and things will get better.
This is the gift that is most memorable to me. And the greatest gift I ever received-my Mom’s unconditional love. And to 2 my two kids: I’ve got your back too.