What my mother taught me...

to appreciate the simplicity of a sunset
to crave the extravagance of room service

to do my homework
to act like I know what I am doing, even when I don't

to be honest at all costs
to lie for a good cause

to talk too much
to bite my tongue

to take the world on
to close the door and bury my head when it's just too much

to be still
to take a road-trip when the horizon calls

to use common sense
and, to be crazy.

It's a short list of things I learned from my mother.  Every day of her life, whether she intended to or not, my mom taught me very human lessons about inconsistency.  And imperfection.  And the humility to love despite these.  For these lessons I am a lifetime of grateful.

Remembering her on what would be her 71st birthday. 

 Ann Kole, Jan 30, 1943 - May 15, 1999