CEO in the house...meet Mom !: After all this time...

In the summer, on the 8th month of the year...august was a glorious month ! a baby was born to the most beautiful woman......that was my mom !

I was really blessed to have a caring mother who was there for me from beginning to end. She was the world to me. I write and can`t help but think of her and how I miss her.....it has been 11 years....and miss her dearly. Although I cannot bring her back....she is very much a part of my life as if she was here, and a big part of all our special family events.

As an only child, she was a wonderful role model to me. One that positively affected my life and one that I had and to this day have a great deal of appreciation and respect for - I was lucky indeed to have had the most wonderful mom anyone can have. Our bond was like no other.....she taught me values, strength and love. I feel like I have taken so much from her....and sometimes catch myself doing the things my mom did. We never admit that we are like our parents....but in some strange way, we are....so give it up !

She was one of the most important individuals in my life while I was growing up. She was the kind of mother I am proud to be today, she gave me all her attention, she listened to me, and was there for me. To care and be a positive example.

She was a strong woman, a nourisher and a woman that encouraged good behaviours in the development of her child, fostering a strong and well rounded individual. Her duty was to take care of her only daughter, and be the best she can be....and she was. She was so proud. Proud of the daughter she raised. I still remember fondly mothers day mornings.....I would be so excited to give her my hand made card, macaroni necklace and a flower.....served to her in bed - back then we did not have digital camera's and did not take pics of everything like we do today. I probably have those macaroni necklace's somewhere close. That was the most amazing feeling for her and for me.....I cherish those moments and am lucky to have experienced as a mom the same handmade cards and macaroni necklaces from my boys. I think we all have. The role of the mother teaches us how to nurture, how to be a positive example, how to love, how to be compassionate, how to show emotional and moral support. I was lucky enough to have my mom shape my life with the right examples and she was a great influence on family values....I will be forever grateful for the wonderful impression she made on me. When I think back....she was strong, respectful, loving, forgiving and at peace. She was an entrepreneur with a knack for business.... she definitely was a go getter.

I have to say....growing up, I was fortunate to have my mom`s parents live with us....they were a true inspiration and source of strength, the driving force for me that til today left an incredible impression on my life. We had a great family life and they always made me feel very close to them. They were thoughtful and expressed their love. They brought to me a great deal of joy. They will forever live in my heart and who would think that years later.... I feel just as close to them. My family unit did all they can for me while juggling work, managing a house and lots more.

I always felt secure, loved and they spent lots of quality time together with me. When I look back....my parents and my grandparents did everything they could to make it the most enjoyable of family experiences. Every year to celebrate my birthday, they would bring together our family and friends and make it a very big deal ! To this day...I treasure those days and everything they did for me to make me feel special. The traditions they created will remain with me forever and I have done the same for my family members.

Growing up, as a family....I remember we talked about everything and they gave me alot of encourgement through words and affection. They disciplined me with love and lots of understanding. They were there for every school concert and greek dancing concert....their support in each of these events was appreciated and never forgotten....I still remember them sitting in the audience. What a great feeling that was. The little things that make such an amazing difference in our lives and we hold on to those memories. I was blessed they took such an interest in what I was doing. Memories are all we have to hold on to.

Last year, my son got married, and my amazing daughter in law requested that my mom's brooch be a part of her bouquet.....I cried and I cried. I still cry today writing about this. It was the most touching and thoughtful request Evie could have made....really I am blessed....to have such an amazing family to keep her alive...every single day....she is missed...but not forgotten !

So my takeaways from this family unit was to be strong, respectful, loving, forgiving, happy and at peace ! To celebrate together and make the very best of each day.....I can't help but think of these important people that were such a big part of my life on the very day I celebrate each year and that they for years made it so special for me. Her memory lives in all of us....and so do my papou and yiayia. Would love to hear from you on what are your takeaways are from your childhood.