Today I called one of my Grammys to wish her Happy Mother's Day since I didn't get to talk to her yesterday. I apologized for being a little late with my wishes and she said, "Nonsense! I will take it 365 days of the year!" And I thought that she was onto something...Moms (at least the ones that I know) should really be celebrated/recognized/thanked every day. I have been truly blessed to have amazing women in my life.
Some of these amazing women were gathered together for a celebration yesterday. My sister came home from D.C. and she joined my brother and I with our parents, my mom's sister and her family and my mom's brother and his family at my aunt's brother's house (I hope that made sense!) Also with us were my Grammy, my aunt's mother, Grammy Silvers, and Grammy Silvers' mother, Nonni. If you can follow all that, there were four generations under one roof.
Nonni is now 98 years old and looks amazing! She has a thick Italian accent and a hearty laugh. About 12 years ago my mom took me to go visit Nonni at her apartment to learn her family's recipe for biscotti. This was one of the most memorable moments I share with my mom. It was so special learning from a woman who had had this recipe in her family for generations in Italy. I can't tell you how many times my mother and I have used Nonni's recipe to make biscotti since then. (I was going to include the recipe, but I didn't have my computer at home and now I'm at school so I'll post it in the future.)
It was so great being able to spend the afternoon with 7 amazing mothers (and everyone else there too) celebrating the women that we owe our lives to. I would like to take the time to recognize my mother for all of the love, support, dedication, and inspiration she has provided throughout my life. 17 years ago she had a vision to provide a place for children who are ventilator dependent to experience summer camp like any other kid. PA Vent Camp was created. With the help of my father and a core staff of volunteers from the medical field, her vision became a realty. Although she has since then handed over the reigns of camp to Hershey Medical Center and the Children's Miracle Network, it was the endless hours of hard work she spent raising the necessary funds, securing insurance to keep 14 kids equipped with hospital care in cabins, finding volunteers, and easing the minds of parents who were doubtful about leaving the care of the children in the hands of strangers for 5 days that built the foundation for the success of PA Vent Camp. 17 years later there are over 30 kids who come to camp each year for the time of their lives. I am so grateful that my mother had the guts, knowledge, and heart to see this endeavor through because my life has been touched by so many people I have met through camp.
Another vision that my mother had had for many years was owning a coffee shop when she retired. When my dad got laid off from AMP 11 years ago this dream of owning a coffee shop came closer to a reality. She convinced my dad to start doing research into the coffee business and they became serious about starting their own business. She has kept her job working as a respiratory therapist, but for the last decade she has dedicated hours of her life to insuring the success of St. Thomas Roasters Coffee Shop. On May 1 my parents celebrated the 10th Anniversary of the coffee shop and I couldn't have been more proud of their accomplishments over the years.
These are just two of the many notable accomplishments that my mother has to her name. It is the way she never says die, sticks to her guns, and sees everything she does through to the end that has inspired me to be involved throughout my life. She leads by example and I hope to show as much dedication and love to the people in my life that she does to those she has touched in hers.
I love you, Mom!
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i love your mom.
ReplyDeleteI had no idea she started vent camp.