Luke 1:46-50 – And Mary said: ”My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior. For he has looked upon his handmaid’s lowliness; behold, from now on will all ages call me blessed. The Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. His mercy is from age to age to those who fear him.”

The Blessed Mother- the role model for all mothers. Appropriately, on Mother’s Day each year and almost every other day of my life I reminisce about my mother. She passed away in 1990 at the age of 64 from an aggressive form of cancer. I want to thank my mom for the joy and love I have experienced in my life because of having grown up with two loving parents and eleven siblings.

Mom tried to emulate the Blessed Mother throughout her life. She had a great love for Jesus, and His mother. Mom was a hard worker, a stay at home mom who was constantly cleaning, cooking, and caring for her large brood. While not perfect, as the Blessed Mother, Mom seemed to be pretty close. She proclaimed the greatness of God in her everyday life. Mom loved me, and each of my siblings, with a depth and breadth of love that can only be divine, and cannot be fully understood until one is a parent. She taught us through kindness and loved us enough to discipline us when we went astray. She had high standards, expecting all to work hard using the talents God gave us, follow the golden rule, and to love our Catholic Faith. Mom gave her children a wonderful role model to pass on to the next generation. So, Mom I’m sorry for all the times I disobeyed and made you worry when I was young. I really am trying to be just like you.

To my children: I thank God every day for having the privilege of being your mother. I love each of you, and thank you for the gift of grandchildren. It’s awesome!

To my two daughters who are moms, and all mothers throughout the world – God bless you! You have been chosen for the most wonderful vocation ever – to be a Mom!