#Back2Blogging Event- Day 4!

Welcome to Day 4 of our #Back2Blogging event!  If you don't know what I am talking about, I am a member of The SITS Girls and they have a blogging challenge going on this week.  Each day there is another assignment to do.  This has really helped me to post on a daily basis on this blog. 

Today we are writing about a woman who inspires us.  I have been blessed with many wonderful women who have or continue to inspire me.  However, I am going to talk about the most important woman who gave me life, my mom.

Mom with her grandsons, Matt and Alex in 1988

She was a Social Worker and was a stay at home mom until I, being the eldest, was around 10 years old.  From a very young age we all were expected to do chores.  I was around 5 and my sister 3 and a half years old, standing at the kitchen sink on chairs after dinner washing and drying all the dishes.  I started cooking for the family after Mom started working and yes there was a lot of jello molds for dessert!

She may have been having many disappointments in her life, but never complained about anything.  As kids we were sheltered from anything negative that may have been going on.  She loved us with all her heart and soul and we knew it.


She taught us how to take care of ourselves early on.  I will always be grateful for that insight as it has helped me during my life's challenges.  We didn't need to depend on anyone, just ourselves and our wherewithal! I learned to cook, sew, clean, do laundry and take care of a  home way before I ever went off to college.

My favorite memory as a child was waking up on Christmas morning and the tree was lit and full of packages. There were two fur coats, hanging by the tree.  One for my little sister and one for me.  Apparently she had spent her evenings sewing them while we were asleep.  

Another Christmas she brought home two little foster children who had no where to go for Christmas.  We had so much fun that Christmas.  It was no longer about what we were getting but what we were going to give to those little boys. I wonder where they are, but I am sure they never forgot that Christmas, I know I haven't.

My mom didn't believe parents and children should be pals, buddies, friends, she was the parent and we were always her kids.  However, in my eyes she was my best friend.  We talked all the time on the phone.  She was always so fair, if I was doing something wrong she would tell me, at times she even would take my husband's side over me, if he was right.  She was always there for advice if we needed her.

In 1992 my dad and mom called and told us that they were coming to visit us in Florida.  We were always so excited with their visits.  My kids would call them Grandpa and Grandma Airplane because they always had to fly to us for their visits!

They arrived and soon , my mom sat with us and told us that she had to see a doctor.  My dad was also surprised, she hadn't told him anything.  He just thought they were coming for a fun vacation.  She said that she had a lump in her breast that needed to be checked.

We quickly got her in to see the doctor.  Little did we know that the "lump" like she called it, was an actual large mass already protruding out of her skin.  I remember sitting with her and my dad waiting for her to have the CT scan. I was so scared and had a sickening feeling in the pit of my stomach.

The CT came back and when I looked at it, it was as if her bones were swiss cheese.  There were actual numerous holes up and down her hip and leg bones. I was sick.  I then realized that she must have been in terrible pain, but never complained.  I knew I was soon going to lose my mom.

My dear mom lasted around 18 months after her arrival to Florida.  She died in 1993.  I miss her so much.  I always thought she would be there to see all her grandchildren marry and have kids.  It took months before I finally stopped picking up the phone to call her.

My mom  was a blessing to all of us and to all the people who crossed her path. So my mom is the woman who to this day inspires me.

Grandpa and Grandma Airplane with Chris and Matt

Before I close, I must first say that her death was most likely preventable.   She never went to the doctor, never had mammograms, or even a simple self breast exam.   She eventually found the tumor but never told anyone, not even a doctor.  Please check out how to do a Breast Self-Exam here and please get your yearly mammograms.


Join Kelly and Electrolux in Supporting the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund

You can visit the Electrolux site here and also read how you can support the ongoing research for early detection of ovarian cancer.  Electrolux has committed to donate $750,000 to this cause.

You may be wondering why I have a picture of a turquoise washer and dryer on my page.  The #Back2Blogging event was created by The SITS Girls, it is to help us get back into the routine of posting on our blogs.  One of the lucky participants will walk away with this washer and dryer set! How cool is that?!!

So drum roll please... I introduce to you Thelma and Louise, the fabulous washer and dryer set!

You can read more about Thelma & Louise at the Electrolux Website!

To visit our sponsors please click on their links:
Standards of Excellence , Westar Kitchen & Bath,  Florida Builder Appliances