The beautiful woman in the photograph is my mom.  She would’ve been 96 this year, but is now celebrating with the angels in heaven.  She was my hero – a woman who loved to laugh – one who would do anything for you – was a loyal wife, mother and a wonderful hugger.

I wonder what she would think about all that’s going on in the world today.  My mom taught me how to hug – how to love – how to encourage others – how to be a friend.  Today we have to be so careful about showing affection or simple hugs or pats on the back.  Terminology for this kind of thing has turned into sexual harassment in many cases.

I don’t feel bad that I’ve carried on mom’s traditions of laughing and hugging.  Those things can make us happy, loved and encouraged – but I pray they are never done away with because of our definition sexual harassment.  I know my mother would never have understood what’s happened to our world today.  It hasn’t’ been that long since her death, but times have changed so drastically in just a few short years.  We need to put clear definitions to all kinds of behavior now.

Mom was a child of the greatest generation.  She saw the ravages of the Great Depression.   Lived an average life, worked hard and set a great example.She walked to a country school, even in the dead of winter with the wind in her face.  She worked reluctantly on their farm, but when she went to high school she took on a job as a nanny in exchange for her room and board.  She was a city girl at heart, but grew up in the country.  She married the love of her life when she was merely eighteen, had two daughters and was a model wife – even through a near divorce.

She gave me the gift of a tender heart.  She taught me how to persevere and how to live with dignity.  She was beautiful both inside and out and I can’t wait to hug her again!

Happy birthday, Mom!