DeziGal

What I love about my Mother

She always encouraged our creative sides

She makes the most delicious fried rice

She never leaves the house without looking put together, not even on her busiest days

She has limitless patience

She labored over every detail of the dresses she stitched for my sister and me

She is a perfectionist

She had the foresight to document all our happy times, in spite our resistance to appear in front of the lens, knowing we would treasure the photos more than any material possession she would ever pass on to us.

She is a collector and purveyor of art

She gives infinitely more than she takes –gifting without the expectation of reciprocity

She worked hard to take us to places that made us appreciate the world more –sanctuaries, museums, parks, cities, villages, beaches, mountains, and everywhere else, money and time would allow

She is a perennial source of love and support

She never forgets to put on Kohl

She steered us in the right direction, but let us make our mistakes. When we failed, she never said ‘I told you so’.

She is a master delegator and manager - an organizational guru

She has the perfect attire for every occasion

She is never afraid of the unknown

She leads with a strong hand and a big heart

She always matches her jewelry to the outfit

She is a creative force, but also a savvy business woman

She mastered the’ look like a million bucks’ look for a lot less

She is determined to turn our dreams into reality

She really knows how to have fun whether its indulging in retail therapy, enjoying a nice meal, exploring a new city, getting ready for an event, or dancing at home in our pajamas

She sees crises as an opportunity

She hasn’t lost her youth with age, she stills sings in the car and dances at midnight

She has immense poise and elegance, even under fire

She sees our needs as hers and turns the world over until they are fulfilled

She pushes us to experience what she didn’t have the privilege to

She does take time out for herself, which many women forget, whether it’s relaxing with her favorite snack, or watching a show, or reading the newspaper

She overcomes her fears by diving right into them; most recently she has embraced email, her new best friend

She is the most organized person I know

She taught us to dress for the life that we want not the one we have

She strives for the top and doesn’t let anything derail her or anyone tell her she can’t

She magically extends the life of all her material possessions – things from 20 years ago look brand new

She keeps our family together by overlooking the shortcomings and refuting pettiness

She gives an amazing interview and is such a media magnet

Everywhere I go people know her and say only great things about her

She fueled her passion into a successful business with the goal of a larger social return all the while keeping an eye on the bottom line

She keeps a journal of her notes and saves all the cards we made for her

She’s got the best sense of fashion I have known

She always focused on her career but never at the expense of her home and family

She is always on a mission whether it’s protecting her family, growing her business, or championing a cause

She believes in community service and encourages women everywhere to reach their potential

She is a master juggler, miraculously maintaining a spotless home, a well stocked kitchen, time for family, while balancing her career

She thinks her daughters are her biggest accomplishment in spite all her personal awards and successes

She still in is love my father and he her – together they epitomize a successful marriage

And finally, because she sets and example for successful, well-balanced, self actualized woman who wins the respect of her husband, her daughters, her employees, her family and the world around her. If I am half the woman she is I will have lived a complete and fulfilling life.

Though I have lived away from her for over a decade, when I look in the mirror I find her in me. What mothers leave us is their life. Inside each woman is a mother that will forever stay with her like a watermark that appears when held against the light. I am constantly reminded of how much I am like her, whether I like to accept it or not. She nudges me to take the extra step when I want to give up. She cradles me in her love, when I am disheartened by the realities of life. She lifts me up when I am down. She checks me when I am wrong. She is forever with me – her smell, her voice, her aura, her teachings, and her love will outlive her. Whether I become a mother is yet to be seen, but I will never stop being a daughter.

Ma, I love you with all my heart.