Its weird how things affect you. For example, moving away from my hometown 9 months ago continues to give me new perspective and moments to pause. Yes. Moments to pause and consider all that has changed in the last few years and how much this change has changed and challenged me.

With each holiday that passes, I am often reminded of my move. I am reminded of how I no longer have quick physical access to my family. And with Christian away at college this realization is even more evident. I am reminded that I can’t just meet Ron and Ryan or Laura for a Meeting of the Minds Power Breakfast at Eat N Park. I am reminded that I can't just run over to Jamie’s house for a jewelry party with Toni, Julie, and Jamie (Chill. There are two Jamies.) I am reminded that I can’t just call my dad for…for…a lot. Ha. I am reminded that I can’t just run to my mom’s for some sugar, for some detergent, for some hugs. I am often reminded how much life has changed.

I never thought that I was one who took things for granted. Honestly, I’d consider myself pretty appreciative. In various areas of my life, I take special attention and time to acknowledge the sacrifice, time, talent, and resources it takes to complete a job, buy and wrap a gift, show up at an event, and so on. But you know what I didn’t realize? I didn’t know how much harder it could be to show that appreciation to family and friends when proximity changes. I took for granted that I would always have access to those who mean so much to me. Have you ever taken your situation or the people around you for granted?

To take for granted is to use, accept or treat in a careless or indifferent manner. Man. That sucks. To treat someone in a careless or an indifferent manner? Is that you? Do you do that? I don’t know that I take people for granted. Or at least I don’t mean to. But I do think I took my situation for granted. And although I am wonderfully blessed, joyfully married, super proud of my son’s success, and boldly pursing my goals and dreams, I never considered how much I would miss my mom.

You know my mom. I write about her often. She is pretty great. When I think about her, I realize just how blessed I’ve been to have a mom like her. Imagine every morning waking up to, “Gina Marie, I love thee.” She sang to my brother and I every morning to wake us up and get us ready for school. At the time I didn’t know the value of that daily chore. I took it for granted. I took for granted that my mom created a song for us and was sure to be positive and encouraging each morning. Did your mom do that?

In the summer, my brother and I were always running around the neighborhood playing with our friends. And each day, we asked our mom if one of our friends could come to dinner (typically Holly and Michael Allison – yes you have to say his whole name). Most of the time, she would have us set another seat at the table. I took that it for granted that my mom would say yes and allow us to have our friends over for dinner. I didn’t know until I was an adult that often times she just parceled out the food so that everyone had just enough, enough that we didn’t know that there wasn’t really a lot to eat. I took it for granted.

Traveling to our cousin’s house in New Jersey each summer or to our family friend Ms. Gin’s house in Ohio was always a treat. Every few years, we would save up to go on a major trip like a cruise, California, or Florida. And in between those trips, we always went to the zoo, Idlewild, Kennywood, and any other local attraction you can think of. We were truly blessed. We made a lot of memories. I took for granted that every kid got to travel. I took for granted that learning about other people, experiencing new foods, and traveling to different (and sometimes the same) places was not the norm for many kids I knew.

Now looking back, those things that my mom put so much energy into doing daily, weekly, monthly, or yearly, shaped who I am today. I love mornings. I sing often. I am signing Justin Timberlake and Bruno Mars as I type this article. I am quick to share my last and break bread with friends. I honor my neighbors in my new hood and spend time with them. I absolutely love to travel and make memories.

Thanks mom for your sacrifice, love, and intentionality. You helped to make me who I am. Please know that although in the moment and maybe even as I was growing up I took much of what you did for granted, I love and appreciate you so much. I am so grateful that I get to celebrate you while you are still here on earth. I plan to give you your flowers now and as often as I can.

Much love to all you moms and like-a-moms out there. You are appreciated. We don’t mean to take your awesomeness for granted. Its just that sometimes you make the hard things look so effortless that we forgot you have a cape on underneath that moo-moo.