It's Mama's Day! To begin- this is a picture of the homemade red velvet cupcakes I mad for my mama on Mama's Day!!! They actually were really good- YAY!!!I'm sure everyone will say that they have the best mother, and you know what?! I'd agree- I think that every woman (whether a mother or future mother) is the best. I cannot tell you how many women have touched my life. Let's just take the obvious, my mom. Words will never be able to describe the absolute pride that I have for my mom. I look up to her in more ways than I could ever list. I'm not sure how good I was in the life before, or who I paid off but I sure am glad I got the mother that I did. Even though my mom and I have had our moments- as do all the great women- we still have unconditional love for one another. At a drop of a hat, and sometimes even before (cause she's sooo intuitive) she's there without fail. Mom, I love you- and even though I don't tell you enough, I love you more and more each day for the woman you are and for the inspiration you are to me. I know that someday when I become a mother I will have had the best example there ever was to follow after. You rock my world woman- you rock my world!
Other women I'm thankful for... (only a short few)
Hawaii Grandma- I love my grandma. She is amazing. I again cannot say enough about her. She is 86 years old and still going strong. She is a strong willed woman and there is not stopping her. My favorite memory of her was when we would go and visit her in the summer and while eating dinner she'd whisper to me saying "now eat all the good stuff first, then a few of the vegetables that way you don't have to eat all the vegetables. You can tell them you're full- but don't forget, always save room for dessert!" Till this day I always save room for dessert! Grandma is also an amazing seamstress. She can make just about anything. If you see something in the store- let her see- cause she'll probably just go home and make it- she's that good! Baby blankets- she's made multiple- clothes you name it and she's still making them for herself and others. She rocks too- I love her deeply!
Stockton Grandma- My "Stockton Grandma" passed away a little over 15 years ago. I was 10 at the time. I have fond memories of her. We used to go monthly to my grandma's house to hang out take her shopping and all sorts of things. My grandma was the one who was the chef. We had the best food whenever we'd go to her house. She always had cookies, homemade of course (now you know where I got that from too), she had apricot trees in the back and we'd always get walnuts and use the nut cracker to get the walnuts out of the shell. Every year we'd go to her house for the traditional Japanese cuisine for the new year! At the time my young taste buds were not acquired to the Japanese cuisine- though I wish they were. Now I long to see what some of the yummy food tasted like :)
Nancy- This is an old neighbor who is too great for words as well. I've known Nancy since I was about 8 years old. She is the most mild mannered woman around. She never raises her voice and treats everyone with kindness. She is a mother of three boys yet she still makes time for girlie moments- and I love that! We still go out on occasion to catch up on the happenings of our lives- she even brings birthday and Christmas gifts to me every year! Nancy- You're fabulous!
Lorraine-Ah yes my Chinese mother- hahaha. Well here's how the story goes. I met Mme. (Madame) when I was a wee 8 years old as well. I was a tiny lad and scared to go to my sister's school (being that she was in high school). My sister was, at the time taking french and it just so happened we were at a back to school night and I had the wonderful opportunity to meet Mme. The first time we met I remember her speaking to me in french, and as a young lad I just thought she was crazy so I gave her a dirty look- we still laugh about that today! Though my oldest sister didn't continue in french my second sister did and then I later TA'd for her my freshman, sophomore, and junior year. She finally convinced me my senior year to actually take french which I did. While in high school she was my mom away from home- the one I could go to whenever needed and just be comfortable- Plus it was fun to tell kids I was really her kid- they believed us cause "all asians look alike" right?
last but not least Becky- Becky was a woman to look up to. She was only two years my senior and yet wise beyond her years. She gave birth to Brooklyn just a few short years ago. Becky was the most loving person. The words don't even come when I'm thinking of her, but the emotions do. Becky was the one who was meek, mild, humble, caring, giving, full of gratitude. She never complained, not once- and even while battling cancer she never once said why me. Becky lost her battle and we lost an amazing mother, but I am glad she was able to bring Bookie into this world so that she can live her mother's legacy.
These are just a few of the women I have looked up to. I could go on forever with the list of the most influential women in my life but I just don't have the time. I have to say that if you are a woman and reading this, then I could probably say a few words about you too- thanks for being you- I love you :)
