Mary B.

 Today is Mother's Day.  It is the day we officially celebrate the women that we know as Mom.  Although, personally, I celebrate my mom every day.  While many of us, luckily, have or had the best mom in the world, Mary B. was the best mom in the world for me, and I am so thankful that I had 21 years with her. I celebrate her in the way I get up and face the world every day.  I celebrate her every time I am in the kitchen cooking.  I celebrate her when I sit down to write a letter. I celebrate her when I go antiquing and when I listen to music and when I cross stitch. I celebrate her every day. 

Mary B. embraced my differences the moment I came out of the womb.  And, believe me, I came out differently.  She encouraged me to be whatever I wanted to be and to do the things I loved to do.  As a gay child in the 70s and 80s, even though I didn't realize why I was different from other kids at the time, she was always there to let me be myself. She let me play house.  She encouraged me to play school. She took me to the library week after week so I could check out Cinderella books and the Mary Poppins records. She gave me my first Strawberry Shortcake miniature for Christmas.  Well, Santa gave it to me but, you know LOL I didn't know at the time exactly how much strength that took from both of my parents, but I am so grateful that they did that. 

Mary B. dealt with terminal illness with grace and dignity.  She showed me that life does not stop simply because of a diagnosis.  She never missed a concert or a play that I was in. She would proofread every paper I wrote in high school and didn't hold back. Her illness did not get in her way of a being a friend to those she loved.  The side effects of her chemo would not prevent her from baking a cake for anyone's birthday or for any other occasion. She taught me how to always look for the good in other people. She had an amazing network of support in her life, and I realize that it was because of her incredibly big heart. 

Mary B. set the bar very high for me and each day I do my best to live up to what she knew I could do. She watches over me and is with me still in this amazing journey called life.  Happy Mother's Day, Mary B. Fornes!