Mother's day is always one of the toughest days of the year for me, I try to stay off social media as much as possible and spend it with people close to me, which is why I’m posting this today instead of yesterday. I’d also like to offer space to anyone in need, It’s hard to admit you need help and even after so many years I’m still very much healing. Although I only got to spend the first 12 years of my life with my mom she remains a huge influence on who I am and what I strive to be. She left me with a 6-page letter that I hope to share parts of someday. Her words of love, motivation, and direction guide me in my day to day and her photo sits on my desk next to me while I work. She was always a people before profits human, experiential vs material, and went out of her way to help others in a remarkably selfless and natural way. I do my best to honor these in my life, work, and relationships always. I’d like to share a few things about her / our relationship as I’m making an effort to talk more about her and step outside of my comfort zone. My front snaggletooth has never been fixed because it’s the same one she had. She was the 1st homecoming queen from the “wrong” side of the tracks in Lorain OH, and our family was so poor her class had to pool up money to buy her dress. The engagement ring that I gave to my incredible fiancé @lalacasss is the same one she wore. She was a flight attendant for Pan Am and then Delta for over 25 years and was one of the most decorated as far as awards, and passenger/crew recognition. I’m fortunate to have a large collection of letters passengers wrote detailing experiences with my mother. She was on the 1st passenger airline between China and the United States after a 32-year hiatus in 1981. She left me an elephant pendant in an envelope with my name (found a few years ago) and I turned it into a necklace. I wear it anytime I want to show her something I think she’d be proud of, have an experience she’d love to share with me, or when I need a little extra strength or guidance. Not surprisingly I wear it most days. There is so much more, but that's a good start for now. Thank you for giving me the space to share 💜