Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day to all the women who have made a difference in someone else's life!  In my life I am very lucky not only to have a fantastic mother, but also a wide circle of women who have influenced me throughout the years and have been like another mother to me in my journey through life. 

In honor of my own mother, I will say that my mom has stuck by me through thick and thin and has supported me even when she thought I was nuts and has continued to do so despite the fact that I live on another continent and our time zones are 10 hours apart. This means she gets calls when she is just getting up or going to bed, calls when I am rushed to get ready for Shabbat and she is heading out the door or e-mails full of complaints about the small annoyances of daily life. And through it all my mom has listened, supported, sympathized and empathized and even on occasion offers some helpful suggestions..... :)  In return I still get e-mails, telling me to "go to bed!  It's too late to be e-mailing," "did you remember your to make your doctor's appointment?" "did you remember to take your vitamin?"  and so on.  Instead of annoying me, I love these e-mails, because it is a reminder of how close I am to mom despite my age and the physical distance between us.

However, I am also lucky to have an amazing mother-in-law, another Woman of Valor, in my life who also checks up on me, reminds me to take care of myself, sleep right, eat right and so on, just in case my own mom missed something! Her sweet heart and caring nature make her a fantastic person and very loving mother, grandmother and mother-in-law, she is truly an asset to our family and I am probably the only person who looks forward to seeing my in-laws twice a year.

Because I have so many women in my life that I love truly, I will finish with my aunt. My aunt, mother's oldest sister has been a huge influence in the life of my sister and I. Although she lived quite a distance from us, we saw her every year, she asked how school was, new who are friends were and still does to this day. She comes to visit despite the challenges of traveling to Israel and has made an effort to get to know my kids, my friends and learn about my life.

I know many people who were not fortunate to have a mother in their life, but they had other women who provided that role model. I am fortunate to have a mother as well as many influential women in my life, who I hope to make proud.  Who are the women in your life? Have you remembered to thank them today? Whether it is your best friends mom, an aunt, a teacher, a boss, or even an older sister, these Women of Valor helped shape us and make us the brilliant women we are. Be sure to thank them today and everyday for helping you become the person you are! Don't forget to pat yourself on the back too, because out there someone is thinking of you and thanking you for the great person you are too! Stop by my gallery and you will find the perfect way to say, "Thank You," to the women who matter most.  Because sometimes a picture says it all!

Until next time, have  a good week!