Welcome to the Weekly SUMmary - 05/07/2021
I'm dedicating this post to some of the most important people in my life. The mother's. Happy Mother's Day!
Tying this to who I am and what I do, let me first just say, I am acknowledging what mother's do for families. Families have changed a lot in my lifetime. I had two very different grandmothers. Like my kids, I honestly cannot say I had a favorite. They were just too different. BUT, the same in that their love was unconditional. They were there for us, the family, for anything that was needed. One was a single mother raising four kids and climbing her way to the top of a state run department, respected by all. One of her famous quotes was "Grab your nuts." It's a story you'd have to hear to understand, but nothing to do with what you think. My other grandmother was widowed, running a business on her own, while trying to raise two kids, remarried and continued to take care of the family. She didn't have a quote. The look was all that was needed.
Then, there's my mother. Superwoman. She married into two boys, then had two more (possibly the reason we [my wife and I] stopped trying for a girl after three boys). Beloved by all. The Detective. You don't have to say anything, she knows all your secrets... but, you end up spilling your guts anyway. She stayed at home, briefly, after we were transferred to a new town (second time in 3 years), and my younger brother under three. She then followed in her mother's steps to climb the state government ladder with Adult and Family Services. I'm not sure if there is a less appreciated job. She found a way to change people's lives. She would get everyone out of the house, many days driving us the five blocks to school because we were too lazy or maybe she was too kind, go to work all day, get home and make dinner, clean up, do the laundry, and help with all the yardwork. I bet she could teach some contractors a thing or two after renovating houses the last few years because my parents don't know how to live without a project.
Lastly, and most importantly, my wife. The love of my life and mother to my children. Where do I begin? A strong willed New York woman. She taught emotionally disturbed kids in the Bronx and survived. I guess that was easy after everything she's done since. She moved more than halfway across the country for me to be closer to my family. Then her plan took over. Figure out Denver in one year, then buy a house. One year after that, a kid. All while continuing to teach Special Ed, and moving into Instructional Coach (helping teachers be better teachers). She had another kid. Then, because this wasn't enough to handle, decided to tackle Law School, while still working part time. Did I mention she was tutoring Chinese kids virtually in English starting at 3am part of this time? There's cooking, cleaning, creating a home that, although small and the brunt of a lot of complaints throughout the years, I wouldn't have changed. Throw in one more kid a couple of months ago. She doesn't know why the boys only call "Mom, mom, mom" ALL the time. The reason is... they can't live without her. Just like me.
I hope that everyone can find time to celebrate Mothers this weekend. And, hopefully every other day of the year. I know I could be better at that.