HAPPY MOTHERS DAY! Who would have thought on my thirty-seventh year on this earth that I would find myself a Father to another human being and found myself making both of my lovely parents, grandparents. I remember growing up thinking to myself “one day I will grow up and everything will make sense”. To my great discovery I found that life doesn’t really seem to happen that way. There isn’t some miracle “Handbook to Life” that we can take lessons out of and use to our advantage moving forward. No, from what I have learned in my short time on this earth is quite different from the ideas I had a young boy. This great book I found myself trying to find was actually right in front of me the whole time. The book isn’t in the shape of a book, but it’s rather in human form. We all have two “books” to help us learn from life’s great lessons and misfortunes. Those books are your parents and it’s up to you (the child) to listen to the stories and to take notes from the lessons your parents have taught you. Sadly I might have discovered this little nugget of wisdom a little too late in the game compared to the rest. I’ve always found myself afflicted with the inability to see things that are right in front of me sometimes. Always looking for the “deeper meaning” or the “hidden agenda” of what’s really going on. As the years continue on I’m going to find inside of myself all those things that you taught me over the years of me growing up and continuing on into my adult-life. You’re relentless compassion for others and the care for their well-being are traits I’m proud to have had passed on to me. The way you taught me how to care for others and how to stop at nothing when you want to get something accomplished. I have been blessed with parents with some very solid work ethics. You both have always made me feel so good about doing a good job at work. I also feel that you graced me with the social skills that I do have. Nicole said the Dad & I the other weekend that between the three of us she felt that I was the most social out of the family. That blew mind as I always figured Nicole to be the “more popular” one of our family. But I do have a knack for talking to people from all walks of life and that is characteristic of your personality that I used to see you flex everyday you punched the clock at Sussex Place. On this great day in celebration of Mother’s around the world it does seem odd to only use a single day as a celebration to the greatest women on earth. I know that I’m not always a sparkling star of light when you sometimes have to deal with me. But I hope you know that I’m not ever upset with you in any sort of way. I cannot possibly have anything else other than extreme gratefulness for all the things you do and have done and still continue to do. You’re a Mother unlike any other, to that there is no doubt. And today and all days you hold your head high because you have two children that value you so very much. > A quote from Sons of Anarchy which really helps send the message home about “getting older.” The older I get the more I realize that age doesn't bring wisdom. It only brings weary. I'm not any smarter than I was thirty years ago, I've just grown too tired to juggle the lies and hide the fears. Self-awareness doesn't reveal my indiscretions. Exhaustion does. I love you Mom, Happy Mother’s Day!