Ep 2 - Shapes in the Clouds: Appreciation for our Mothers

"The Life I Deserve" presents "The Goal Show" by Adrian McMillian

Welcome!! In celebration of Mother’s Day, I want to take a moment, to acknowledge and appreciate, all of the hard-working mothers in the world!! Just over a year ago, I had to say a final goodbye, to my own mother. However, I will never stop celebrating, the amazing person that she was! Listen, to this entire episode, as my siblings, and I, share some great memories, and lessons, that will forever impact our lives!

From what I’ve seen, motherhood is probably the most demanding, and yet the most rewarding, job in the world. However, it’s not just a job, requiring endless hours of hard work, and patience. It’s also a job, that requires enormous love, empathy, selflessness!! Let’s celebrate, the amazing women, who have raised all of us. And, let’s encourage and support, the amazing women, raising the children, who will build the future!

In 1914, U.S. President Woodrow Wilson officially recognized Mother's Day as a national holiday. One hundred years later, the holiday has become a global celebration to honor the mothers who made sacrifices to raise generations of children and support them through adulthood.

Funny Quotes

Here’s some funny quotes, about motherhood, I thought you would enjoy!

"I want my children to have all the things that I couldn't afford. Then I want to move in with them." -Phyllis Diller

“My mother’s menu consisted of two choices: Take it or leave it.” -Buddy Hackett

"When your mother asks, 'Do you want a piece of advice?' it is a mere formality. It doesn't matter if you answer yes or no. You're going to get it anyway." -Erma Bombeck

“The most remarkable thing about my mother, is that for thirty years, she served the family, nothing but leftovers. The original meal has never been found." -Calvin Trillin

"When my kids become wild and unruly, I use a nice, safe playpen. When they're finished, I climb out." -Erma Bombeck

Questions, Comments, Compliments

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An audio message from my beautiful sister, Glenda…

Mom Brought us Together One Last Time

March 3rd, 2015, I gathered with family, in a hospital room, in Nassau Bay, Texas, to celebrate, my mother’s birthday. Due to several health complications, my mother had been in, and out, of the hospital, many times, over the years. However, this time, her doctor warned us, that her body was starting to shut-down. We all gathered in the hospital room, and showered my mother with love. My mother was selfless. She always put us kids, first. There are no words, to express, how much love she had for us! Knowing that my mom, didn’t have much time, we did everything we could, to let her know, one last time, how amazing she had been, in our lives! We shared great memories, we played her favorite songs (which were usually from shows, like The Sound of Music, and Fiddler on the Roof, and other musicals). And, we just sat with her, holding her hand, kissing her cheek, and touching her hair. We were doing everything, we could of think of, to express our love, one last time.

We had a great birthday celebration with my mother! I’ve never seen a hospital room, so full! Not only with my beautiful family, but also filled with balloons, flowers, cards, and timeless photos, that my sister Glenda, took the time to print, and put together, in an amazing, almost 3 dimensional collage!!

“I love you, Mom”. I may have said that 100 times that day. And, it still didn’t feel like enough. It had been a long day, and I felt that my mom, was very tired. I gave my mother the longest hug ever. How do you let go, when you know it is probably the last time, you get to hug your mother?

My father, had already positioned a cot, as close as possible, to my mother’s hospital bed. He hung-on to her arm, with both hands.

The next morning, I received the call, that at this point, was completely expected. My dad, told me, how Mom woke up, in the early morning, calling out to him. He quickly got up to comfort her, and to remind her, that he was by her side. After that, they both fell back asleep, hand-in-hand. When my father woke-up, my mother was gone.

What was my Mom Like?

49 years ago, my mom and dad, were married. They were eager to start a family. They had 5 children. Despite many challenges along the way, my mother made each of us feel important, valued, cared-for, and loved. We lived modestly. But, we were rich, in the areas that really mattered. My mother's creativity and sense of adventure, kept us captivated and excited. Our imaginations were fueled, by her drawings, paintings, sculptures, and her curiosity about life in general.

In my mother's eyes, everything was beautiful and exciting. She appreciated the color and smell of every flower. She enjoyed the excitement of every lightning storm. For my mom, even the shapes of the clouds, had meaning. As children, my mother's creativity always kept us entertained. She always knew when the next meteor shower was coming. And, when we were snuggled-up in blankets on the porch, watching for the shooting stars, there was no place in the world that we'd rather be!

My mother was sensitive to every person's feelings. Every person mattered. My mother had a passion for helping people. She had incredible empathy for those in need.

Mom, you spent your lifetime, teaching us how to be good people, how to be kind, how to help people, how to be there for each other. You nurtured us, yet, you also taught us to be strong. Despite the strength that you given us, it hurts, to not be able to speak to you again, to hug you again, to kiss you again. It's hard to believe that you're no longer here. As a matter of fact, I know that you actually are still here. I know that you will continue to be with each of us, showing us the beauty of each flower, bringing excitement to our lives with an occasional thunderstorm, and showing us shapes in the clouds. I love you, mom.

Almost exactly, one year previously, I recorded a brief conversation with my mother. And, I’d like to play that for you now.

Audio recording with my Mom...

Goodbye Mom

My beautiful mother, now in heaven, can sing, dance, paint, and sculpt again. My mother can finally breathe without restriction. My mother is now agile, and pain-free. After 47 years of selflessly caring for 5 children, 9 grandchildren, and 1 great grandchild, my mother is now in the warm embrace of her own mother, her father, and her dear brother. Her warm smile will be missed. Her ability to make people feel accepted and loved, will never be forgotten. Her clever sense of humor, and practical jokes, will continue to make us laugh.

I love you, mom, more than words can express. You always believed in me. You gave me the courage to face my fears. You listened, without judgement, as I shared my thoughts, my challenges, and my concerns. You always made me feel safe, and loved. I wish I could find the words to let you know how much you mean to me. I know that you'll always be with me. I know that you'll always be at my side, telling me that I am smart, strong, and capable. I will not let a day go by, without thinking of you, appreciating you, and loving you.

Family Interviews

My Dad, brothers, and sisters, were gracious enough to record some of there great memories, about our mother. I’d like to share these recordings with you now.

Audio recordings...

Mom at Dr Office

My mother was not only caring, and loving, she also had a great sense of humor!! I remember my Mom, telling me that her doctor, would rush through each office visit, giving her very little attention, and barely making eye contact. One time, near Halloween, my Mom decided to play a joke on her doctor. She took a hideous, monster mask, to her doctor appointment. While the the doctor was looking at his notes, my Mom put the mask on. After a while, the doctor finally glanced in her direction. He screamed, and dropped his clipboard. Lol!! My mom had a great sense of humor!

Playing in the Water Fountains

Sometimes, on a hot day, my Mom, would take, all of us kids, to play in the city water fountains, in downtown Houston. These were water features, were designed, as forms of art. I don’t even know if it was legal, to go into those water fountains. Some of them had intricate designs. Definitely, not build like a child’s play set. We never saw anybody else playing in the fountains. Just, us, kids, climbing through walls of water. We thought it was a great adventure!! :-)

Mom Peels-out

One time, I was visiting home, from college. I decided to go for a jog. I ran down to a nearby park, on Galveston Bay. I jogged around the park, and then saw my Mom drive-up, on her way back from the store. We hung-out at the park for a little while, and then she started to drive us back to the house. Feeling the need for a little more exercise, I asked her to let me out, so I could jog back home. When she slowed down to let me out, some people nearby looked over. My mom, said, let’s pretend we’re in a fight. Awesome!! So, my mom yelled “get out”!! And, I jumped out of the car, and slammed the door. My mom, then peeled-out in the gravel!! It was the first, and only time, I ever saw my mom peel-out! The people nearby just pretend that they didn’t see our made-up fight. It was really funny!! My mom, always had a sense of adventure, about her!!

Mom Was My Greatest Cheerleader

Mom, was always incredibly proud of anything I accomplished. In a notebook, she kept a list of the real estate that I acquired. When I told her that I bought a new property, she couldn’t wait to find her notebook, so she could write it down. With every promotion at work, she would practically scream with excitement, and happiness, for me. And, then she would tell me, that she’s actually not surprised. She would always tell me, I could accomplish anything, that I put my mind to. It actually didn’t matter how big, or small, the accomplishment, my Mom’s love, and appreciation, was always genuine, and abundant!!

Singing for Mom

About 10 years ago, my Mom and Dad, were addicted to American Idol. I remember talking to my Dad when there were 3 contestants left. When I asked my Dad who he was going to vote for he gave me 2 names. He didn’t know who he liked best. He just knew the one he wanted to eliminate from the competition. Lol!

Well, for my birthday that year, my parents sent me $35. My Mom told me “you can do whatever you want with the money. But, I think you should take some singing lessons. I think you would do a great job, on American Idol.” It didn’t phase my Mom, that most of the contestants were about half my age, and probably singing, since they were about 7 year old. My Mom, belief in me, was amazing!!

Well, I got busy with other things, and put-off the idea, of singing lessons. Then one day, I got a phone call. My uncle, found my Mother, unconscious on the bathroom floor. She fell, and hit her head. She was rushed to the hospital, treated, and made a full recovery. However, I thought, that was the end. At that point, I decided, I was going to get those singing lessons.

My sweet Mom didn’t realize, that $35 would barely get me a half hour of singing lessons. But, that’s okay. Over a year later, and well over $1,000 in lessons. I told my Mother that I had a surprise for her. I told her I used the birthday, gift, to get singing lessons. I told her, that I would have a part, in a small concert, and I wanted her to come see me. I flew her out to Los Angeles. This was the first flight my Mother took, in about 15 years. She was nervous to fly, but she told me, that her excitement to see me perform, outweighed her flying anxiety.

During the concert, I nervously took the stage. I sang a song for my mother. My singing lessons, helped me to hit most of the notes. But, certainly not all. However, that didn’t matter to my Mother. I poured my heart out, during that performance. It not only brought tears to my mother’s eyes, but many other mothers, in the audience as well. I thank God, that my Mother made it through that fall, onto the bathroom floor. I thank God, that I had the chance to do something, so exciting, for my Mother.

Book Recommendation

While looking for inspirational books about Moms, I discovered Jack Canfield’s, Chicken Soup for the Soul book subtitled “Thanks Mom”. Available in paperback, and audiobook. This book contains 32 great stories about Moms!! The forward is by Joan Lunden. Who has a remarkable story about the amazing person that her mother was. And, how she was inspired to raise 7 children of her own. And the book ends with a great story about a mother, and her son, and their shared love of salsa dancing!! Salsa dancing, in case you didn’t know, is a hobby, that I’m very passionate about!! Again, the book is titled “Chicken Soup for the Soul: Thanks Mom”. You can find a link to this book, on the Resources Page, of TheLifeIDeserve.com.

Best and Wisest Mom

Mom, I wish I had words to tell

How much you mean to me.

I am the person I am today,

Because you let me be.

Your unconditional love

Made me happy, strong, secure.

Your teaching and example

Made me confident, mature.

In all the world, there is no mother

Better than my own.

You're the best and wisest person, Mom

I have ever known.

A Poem by Joanna Fuchs

http://www.poemsource.com/mother-poems.html

Trivia

Last show’s question:

Jack Canfield holds the Guinness Book World Record, for having seven books, simultaneously on the New York Times, Bestseller List. However, it took determination to get there. In 1993, Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen, approached publishers with the very first, “Chicken Soup for the Soul” book. How many “no’s” did Jack and Mark get, before a publisher said “yes, I’ll publish your book”?

And the winning answer…

...was submitted by Andrei Aleksandrov, who correctly guessed “144”!! Congratulations, Andrei!!

The highest number of pregnancies, ever recorded, occurred in the 1700’s. Specifically, between 1725 and 1765. Today’s trivia question, is, what was the highest number of pregnancies?

Send your answer from the Web Site, “TheLifeIDeserve.com”. From the Web Site, you can leave voicemail or email. Just click on the “Contact” tab. Again, today’s trivia question is, how many “no’s” did Jack get before publishing “Chicken Soup for the Soul”. Go to“TheLifeIDeserve.com”, to submit your answer.

Salutation

That’s going to do it, for today’s show. My mission, is to inspire and empower, those that I encounter, to live full and meaningful lives, by sharing lessons learned, tools for self improvement, and life-­changing perspectives. Subscribe to the Podcast, so we can take this journey together. If you still have your mother, contact her now, let her know, how much you love her. If your mother is gone, cherish the memories, and share this Podcast, to encourage other people to appreciate their mothers. :-)

I’d like to leave you with the following quote:

"My mother was the most beautiful woman I ever saw. All I am, I owe to my mother. I attribute all of my success, in life, to the moral, intellectual, and physical education, I received from her.”

-George Washington

Thanks again, for listening to the “The Life I Deserve”. This Podcast was designed for you! Designed to enhance your health, grow your wealth, and fill your life, with happiness!! Visit “TheLifeIDeserve.com”, and send me voicemail, or email. Let me know something about you. What inspires you? What advice do you have? How I can help you? Do you have a suggestion for the show? Let me know. And, if you just happen to love the show, please post a review on iTunes! :-)

Thanks, again! Love you all!! Until next time… goodbye.