3 THINGS MY MOTHER TAUGHT ME

In case you haven't heard, today is honeybee's birthday! In honor of this wonderful lady, I thought I'd write a blog post. For starters, we're almost completely opposite - my mother will always be the vivacious spirit in the room and I'm the bookish one in the corner. She has tapped into a part of life I haven't quite grasped, and I only hope one day I can live these lessons fully.

• Live A Little: Lord knows most days I just want to snuggle in bed and catch up on Young and the Restless. I remember once being called a homebody, insultingly, and my mother saying that that's okay (I was, looking back at it, over-upset by that comment.) She has always done a great job at accepting my less-social qualities, but challenging them at the same time. Having lived in Germany at 22 and traveling Europe, my mother recognizes there is a lot of the world out there I haven't seen. She challenges me to be adventurous and make memories. Our oppositeness is probably strongest in this area as I take after my workhorse father, but my mother reinforces that you have to make time for fun. You have to invest in relationships, and you have to make every day about doing something new. And she's right - what am I going to do 30 years from now? Think back about the time I stayed late at work to file some papers and make some extra phone calls? I hope not.

• Live Fabulously: I truly think it all started when she was named after Jacqueline Kennedy (Onassis.) She has always been one to put time into her appearance, and I absolutely love her for that. As a tomboyish child, we did not always see eye to eye, but now with 60+ dresses hanging in my closet, I'm thankful for all her attempts to introduce femininity into my life. But I think living fabulously isn't so much about what you wear, but about how you wear it - living fabulously is about confidence. Wear what you love, wear what makes you feel good. Put thought into your image and how you want to be represented to the world. Is life all about appearance? Of course not, but if you can look fabulous while doing whatever it is you're doing, why not? Every day is a good day for your favorite pink lipstick & Madonna's Immaculate Collection.

• Practice Selflessness: My mother has always gone out of her way to do things for me, and she's a mom, so I get that that is sometimes a part of the job. She'll send me homemade dinners and boxes of goodies out of the blue, just to brighten my day, and it always does and I always appreciate it. Mostly she has taught me it is always important to make time for others. Treat everyone lovingly and compassionately. She has taught me that it is the smallest of things that may mean something. When people ask you of a favor, why not do it? Don't keep tabs. Life isn't about exchanges. I'm still not sure how she does it, but she knows a secret art to making everyone feel special - extended family, coworkers, random strangers. She always puts her best foot forward to stop and really listen to what is going on in people's lives and show them she cares.  I will always admire her giving nature and huge heart for people.

I love my mother somethin' special and am so grateful every day for her. Looking forward to yet another year with this lady!