Happy Mother's Day - Twenty years later the legacy lives on

Twenty years ago I told my Mother Happy Mother's Day for the last time. It is really hard to believe it has been that long since she passed away. I honestly didn't know then how I was going to survive without her. Thank God I had two children. They were my everything when it felt like there was nothing. I buried myself in soccer games and school events. Weeks became months and then years and then all of a sudden the pain was not so noticeable.

Today I committed to walking 20,000 steps in honor of you Mom. The app says I did 21,829. I started in the Nature Preserve behind the house and collected shells on the beach at sunset to finish. I also had a Jim Beam and coke and toasted you (once is enough on that one). lol.

Today your memory flooded my thoughts and I just kept thinking I wish you were here to see all that you missed and somewhere along the way today I realized you were here. You live on in our hearts and will always be with us watching over us from heaven. Your legacy is intact and your memory is just as present today as it was back in 1996.

See when you are raised by Super Woman, like I was, there is a bar you are always trying to measure yourself up to. In my mind, my Mom was bigger than life, she had superpowers and she was Amazing at Everything...and I mean EVERYTHING! How do you compete? You don't. It would be pointless. Instead, I just focused on my kids, working my business and keeping a roof over our heads.

Over time I started to realize Mom (and Dad) missed a lot of our school and sports events because of work. Mom and Dad had a brick and mortar business, besides the Network Marketing business that Mom built, so we missed out on family dinners together most nights. Mom focused a lot of her time on her clients, which was great, but that also took time away from her and her family. And lets just say her goals with her health were not the best.

So over time I made some changes. I made sure I made it to school events and games. Because I built a Network Marketing business full-time I was able to watch my kids grow up and I was there when they got in from school. We were able to take trips and have that quality time together. I have learned it is okay to put me first...take care of my health, eat right, exercise, keep stress down, be a better role model for my kids. I've learned that kids pay more attentions to your actions than your words. So if you want to raise great kids you have to set the example for them and be a good role model as an adult.

I started seeing an Independent streak in my son Andy that reminded me of myself when I was a teenager. He was also very protective of his little sister Brittany, which so reminded of me of my Mom and how she was with her siblings. And Brittany took over the mischievous department after her Grandpa Hodge, Meme and myself.

I watched two kids find their way as teenagers, young adults, up through today. I see the lessons my Mom taught me coming through in them and I see myself as well. I see the two roles have merged into something even better. Now Brittany is a Mother herself and I see the new improved Mom that she is to Maddison and I am so proud of her. Her and my son-in-law Justin are such AMAZING parents. They take 100% responsibility for raising Maddison in a world surrounded by Love and Laughter everyday. I see it live with every visit and just like you, I also see it on their Facebook pics and posts. Maddison is almost always smiling or laughing and is so full of joy, she is contagious.

My Mother built by example a foundation for me grounded in honesty, integrity, hard work, perseverance, character, caring, nurturing, laughter, leadership, mentoring, fight for it with a little mischievous dare devil mixed in. To which I got to add my own bits and pieces and mix in a little adventure.

On this Mother's Day I can look at the legacy my Mom, Beverly (Hodge) Smith, and those before her started and I have continued and can pass the torch to Brittany and know she can create her own new and improved version for her family. And one day Andy might do the same.

My question for you is...What kind of example are you setting for those around you? Whether its your kids, grand kids, cousins, nieces or nephews, co-workers or neighbors doesn't matter your being watched...what characteristics are you instilling in those that are around you? What legacy are you creating for future generations? And where can you make improvements....

Happy Mother's Day Mom! I love you and miss you.

And Happy Mother's Day to my daughter, sisters, aunts, nieces, cousins and other family members and all the other mothers out there as well.

Jacki Smith

Beverly Smith

Jacquette (Jacki) Smith

Meme with Andy & Brittany

Andy

Brittany

Justin & Brittany Wedding - our family

Maddison 2yo

Jacki, Maddison, Justin & Brittany