Mothers Day

I have been thinking a lot about mothers day lately. I wanted to post this now because I go in for a colonoscopy on Friday and will be knocked out by anesthesia and I dont know how busy I will be in the night tomorrow to post. Anyhow I was thinking the other day about what formed my being into the mother that I am. It was my mother of course. My mother for most of my life was a single mother. She supported my brother and sister and myself and worked in a drug store. It was my godparents drugstore but she worked there and worked hard. I was always somewhat fearful of her. She was one of those mothers who loved you but if you did her wrong oh she would make you feel it. I only got hit about twice in my life and it was with a belt. That was the thing in those days. It wasnt abuse. It was discipline. I now know it really hurt her more than it did me. She was fair. She helped everyone who asked and needed it. She saved enough money to own her own home and car and we took trips to Hawaii and different parts of the United States. I cant ever remember wanting for anything. We just always had. If she worked late she would cook dinner before she left to work. Was I a latchkey kid? Probably. I never knew it. It was safe in my neighborhood. Everyone just seemed to watch every kid on the block. Anyhow my mom was strong always until she broke down one day when she found out she was dying. I was 17 then. I just thought she would always be there. I was such a drama queen then. I was selfish and wouldnt give into the fact she was dying. I never cried even at her funeral. The day everyone left my home ..my grandmother and uncles and aunts ..only then did I cry. She was tough as nails but regal. She was always dressed nice only when she gardened was she dirty. She smelt like her favorite perfume Estee Lauder Youth Dew and she only bought expensive underwear from Buffums a very highend store growing up. I remember one time we had these neighbors move in and they didnt have food or anything. She made their daughter lunch to take to school and gave them some of mine and my brothers clothes. She bought them groceries and took them to find a job. She got nothing for it. That is just who she was. I suspect she saw some hard times in her life. I heard the stories later of only having an egg to eat between my brother and sister and her before I was born. I never believed it because I never lived that type of life. She did meet the guy who I thought was the one at 17. She told me to listen to her and not to ever marry this guy. I would be marrying his family and would have problems the rest of my life. Boy did she call that one right. She met some men that could of been potential suitors but never brought them home to meet us. I know she never got over my father finding someone else. She would go dancing but came home that night. She was not a drinker but knew how to have a good time. I could remember going to her sisters house in San Francisco and all her sisters would be there and my grandmother and everyone would be dancing really old dances. Of course at 13 I was mortified. I am truly sorry none of my kids met her. They so missed a great person. I tell my kids about her though. I know where I get my backbone from. I know where I get my faith from. I know where I get my compassion from. Funny those are riches that have no dollar amount. Happy mothers day Mom. JULIA ISABELL CARRERO. I truly miss you. Happy mothers day to all you mothers. Everything you do does mean something to your family and kids.