Suzy’s Place

There are those in my life that I consider to be the epitome of goodness. There is one woman, whom I have known since I was 12, that I have always looked up to and admired. In fact, I really want to be her when I grow up!

TheCap’n and I have been friends for what seems to be forever. There are days that I simply sit back and contemplate my good fortune. I don’t know how it is that we have stayed friends, as we truly do live on completely different planes of existence… she’s like my miracle.

She has been in the military for quite a while now, and is currently serving our country in Iraq. MrJ and I had the opportunity to fly out to Tahoe over the weekend to surprise her, and hopefully help in giving her a little R&R. She’ll be returning to work in another week, but I’m hoping that our couple of days together will help her get through the next little stint until she’s able to come home again.

Whether you agree with the situation in the Middle East or not, our troops are over there doing what they can in support of our country. Take a moment to show your support to them, our American soliders, by sending them a message of thanks at: AmericanSupportsYou.mil.

To TheCap’n (you know who you are) we love you and send all our happy thoughts with your throughout your journey.

I wanted to take this opportunity to not only honor all mothers everywhere, but to also send a special thanks to my mom.

As a single mother raising two daughters, I can only imagine how hard it was for her, especially in an age where divorce was strongly frowned upon and dysfunctional wasn’t a common term.  But she never let it show.  I saw a woman who not only had it together, but knew how to keep it together.  She worked hard, but always had time for us.

She taught me the difference between being independent and being a martyr.  When I first started dating I remember her telling me, "Make sure you have enough money to pay your own way, but let him pay if he offers."  I learned that I had the ability to stand on my own two feet, but that I didn’t always have to.  I learned that asking for help wasn’t a sign of dependence, but fulfilling a need.

I also learned from her the value of being myself.  Shortly after I was divorced from the Navy, my girls and I had gone to visit like we did every Sunday.  We were sitting around laughing and talking, and my mom came over and hugged me and said, "Welcome back, I’ve really missed you."  That was one of the most profound moments of my life.  Until that moment I hadn’t realized how much of myself I had lost during my marriage, and I learned how likable I really was.

My mom has always been my role model.  The one person I strived to emulate most of my life.  When I was little I would play in my room "running my office" just like I had seen her doing at work.  With my children now, I do everything I can to make sure we have quality time together, just like she did when we were younger.  I speak to my children openly and honestly about everything, just like my mom did with me.

She has been an inspiration to me all my life, and I can only hope that I show my appreciation more often than just this one time of year.  Happy Mother’s Day, Mom.