Strong women...

At the beginning of the month I was asked by Social Print Studio to share a photograph in honor of Mother’s Day and tell the story behind the photograph. With the month nearly over I didn’t want to miss out on the opportunity. Plus, when you have a mom that takes as much care of you at 32 years old as she did at 32 hours old Mother's Day is everyday.

I chose this photograph of my madre that was taken on September 13th 1980, her wedding day. 

I look at this photo and see myself. Not only in our shared physical features but I also recognize myself on my own wedding day. Joyfully lost in the celebration and the promise of a wedding day. I cannot help but wonder what she thought her life would be like, who she would become and what was in store for her and my dad.

This photograph was taken just weeks before she moved out to the Pacific Northwest, years before becoming a madre and decades before becoming an abuela (grandmother). Now, thirty five years later, after four kids- biological and adopted, multiple foster children, three grandkids and the countless others she has mothered & continues to mother. I am humbled and honored to be her daughter. She is an exceptional caretaker. A source of inspiration and wonderful example of what it means to put family first and to selflessly love, care and nurture children. 

Today she continues to support & take care of her adult children, ages 19, 20, 26 and 32, run a household and care for her grandchildren and nephew every single day.

THANK YOU MOM. For absolutely everything you do. You take care of Me, Mike and Mario every single day and do not ask for anything in return.

To my readers, I can only leave you with this:

Here's to strong women. May we know them. May we be them. May we raise them.

xx Ly