Mom Turns 80: Insights from a Wise Woman

Simple. Sweet. Sumptuous. Surprising. An 80th birthday celebration. . When she who asks for little Articulated her birthday wish - Dinner with her children - We simply gathered with glee. . Four Seas mocha chip ice cream, and Four kids from the corners of the country, and Four main courses cooked up by Chuck, And then Mom held Forth on sweet lessons For her descendants For us to ponder as we go Forth in our lives. . We ate. We drank. We were satisfied. We gathered to bless her, but Mom blessed us instead With a lesson from her lifetime. She said: “I hope that each of you will appreciate How great you all are. And don’t wait until you are 80. It took me a long time to realize That I’m not a bad person. I’ve done well and I’m pleased with myself and Where I am and ... I want that for all of you.” . That she (too) felt not quite good enough That she (too) struggled within That this Wise woman, Loving mother, Competent caring, Accomplished leader Struggled with self-worth. But at 80 She had finally figured out That it wasn’t in the determinations of others That made a life worthy of living, But by jettisoning the judgments of others That we can find the Truth of our worthiness Within. Mom turned 80 yesterday It was Simple. Sweet. Sumptuous. Surprising. As this 80 year old Gifted her grandchildren A timeless truth.