How many moms will you celebrate this Mother’s day?
I realized the other day I have A LOT of moms, the most famous of them being Diana (#Legend). I was talking with a friend recently about all the older women in my life I love…and check in on…who are in their 60’s, 70’s and 80’s and who have served as mentors for me throughout my life. My friend said she didn’t have a gaggle of old ladies she stayed in touch with and it surprised me. Was it weird that I’ve collected these ladies over the course of a lifetime? Didn’t everyone have these powerful female role models in their life who left indelible impressions on them in their formative years and who eventually felt more like family than mere friends?
While my mom has been a part of my social media channel for years she seems to have connected with our audience in a much bigger way during the pandemic. Maybe it’s her silly sayings, her cooking tips on “Wala: Cooking with Di” or her dedication to sharing family traditions like gifting a “Pain Bag” to anyone who is sick that endears her to so many around the world. I receive almost daily messages about how my mom reminds them of their own mom, or how our relationship mimics the relationship they have (or had) with their mom. Some remark about how much they miss their mom….and others express sadness of never having such a relationship with their own mother. No matter the take on it, Diana, in her infinite “Mom Stardom” has come to exemplify what so many of us long for…a cheerleader in your corner, telling you everything is going to be fine and you’re doing a great job just the way you are!
While I feel so blessed to have her as a role model I know I’ve also been blessed to have other magical women in my life as well. My other moms include my traveling companion from my year as Miss New Jersey, Sally Johnston, who is 85 now and has blessed my life with her wisdom and friendship for over 28 years. My neighbor, “Princess Karen of Candyland”, who was my neighbor when I was a new bride, then new mom and budding comedian and she loves my kids as much as I do and constantly showered them with candy. Aunt Joanie has the best she shed ever and hosts top secret girl talks with Jacqueline and Brooke in the summer and gives them a safe place to talk about life…that isn’t under their mom’s watchful eye and “New York Pat” has taught me that life can be rich with 3 ex husbands, 2 ex boyfriends and one big Thanksgiving dinner every year that brings them all together. Of course, I was blessed with a beautiful Italian family that gifted me amazing Aunts….Aunt Donna, Aunt Mary, Aunt Rose, Aunt Angie, Aunt Kathy, the other Aunt Rose, Aunt Rosalie and Jim’s Aunt Barbara and through our journey with OFM we’ve all come to love our very own Andrea!
I know Mother’s Day can be hard for lots of people….for lots of reasons but I’ve decided this year to take stock in the wonderful women that have been “Like a mom” to me for so many years. I’ve been blessed to have many and I hope to keep collecting them. Having these strong, beautiful women in my life has helped me become a strong, beautiful women myself (I hope that doesn’t sound like I’m full of myself) but I mean, they’ve taught me to love with abandon, stop worrying about the future and know they’ve got my back or some great advice should I falter.
Wishing you a Happy Mother’s Day…and I hope you find some old people (or other great friends) that help hold you up when you need it. Great mothering can be found in lots of places…and if all else fails… I’m willing to rent Diana out for a small fee. My Venmo is @onefunnymother. Share a pic of your favorite old people in the comments section and tell us why you love them!
