My mother has been such an influence on my life that I dedicate today’s post to her. It may 
not fit under one of my usual categories, but all that I am and all that I desire in my life comes from the passion, love, humor, and dedication that I experienced from her. She taught me how to laugh, have fun, enjoy life, dream big, and show compassion for everyone that I love.
I love my mother as the trees love water and sunshine – she helps me grow, prosper, and reach great heights. ~Terri Guillemets
These are a few of the reasons why I love my mother…
1. She taught me a great sense of fashion.
2. She taught me how to swim like a fish.
3. She taught me how to dance like no one is watching.
4. She taught me to go after my dreams.
Mother love is the fuel that enables a normal human being to do the impossible. ~Marion C. Garretty, quoted in A Little Spoonful of Chicken Soup for the Mother’s Soul
5. She taught me how to sail in style.
6. She taught me how to play games.
7. She taught me to love my family every minute.
8. She taught me how to laugh often.
9. She taught me to enjoy the outdoors.
10. She taught me how to be a good mother and now I’m showing Athena the same unconditional love.
I LOVE YOU MOMMY
Bucket List Publications 
Perfect.
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What an amazing tribute. Enjoy every minute you can with her. My mom died quite suddenly just under two years ago. You can never be prepared for life without your mom. Tonight I wanted to call her so much.
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I’m both sorry and glad that I reminded you of her. A mother’s love is like no other; I wish that you had more time with yours. What’s one of your favorite memories with her? I’d love to hear about it. Maybe it will give us both some time with her now. 🙂
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Funny, she drove me crazy. We were oil and water. But she was always someone I could talk to who would listen. I miss that.
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I understand. Do you still talk to her… in your own way?
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A lot. And I yell at her for leaving us too soon.
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Thank you for sharing, Pamela. I hope that remembering is always a positive experience.
🙂
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It is. Enjoy your amazing mom. Your daughter is lucky to have both you and her around.
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Awesome stuff! Moms rock! Whatever good is in me came from my mom.
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What is your favorite trait from your mother? I truly love my mother’s ability to be uninhibited like a child. (But in the most amazing way.)
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mom it is a magic word who will not love one’s mother when we become mother we love our children and also mother more nice article best wished to you
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Thank you! I don’t think I ever appreciated my mother as much as when I became a mother myself. I can connect more with her and understand her more. It is a blessing. 🙂
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A wonderful tribute. Loved it.
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Thank you, Irene! My mother is beautiful both inside and out. She obviously taught me to have no shame too since I publicly shared some of these photos 😉
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I thought they were just wonderful. They show you are a beautiful individual.
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A wonderful tribute to your mother, great photography!
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Thanks John! Even though most of the photos are terribly embarrassing, I didn’t care at all. It shows the true relationship I have with my mom. 🙂
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Nothing embarrassing at all, great photos!
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This is wonderful 😉
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sorry, wrong smiley 🙂
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Lesley your Mom must be very, very proud of you…of the daughter you are and the Mom you have become. I find your openness about you and your family a beautiful thing.
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I’m proud of my family and the person I’ve become because of them. It’s beautiful to share that with the world. We have nothing to hide; at least not anything that my family will tell 😉
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Sweet, sweet post. Clearly the beautiful fruit fell from a spectacular tree!
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Thank you. It means a lot coming from someone I now consider a friend 😉
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The feeling is mutual, darlin’! 😀
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Beautiful tribute to your mother
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Beautiful, funny, touching- a great tribute!
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Wow, I enjoyed that! You and your mum and daughter are so beautiful in your happiness.
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The photos are far from embarrassing. They show true joy and fun in life and your relationship. You are a blessed woman. w
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Awesome post and wonderful photos. A mother has a power like no other. She can make or break you. We are very blessed to be amongst the lucky ones, aren’t we?
My mum is only 20 years older than me and one of my best friends…always there. I am so thankful to have two sons and a daughter to share her with and to carry on what she has give me. Thanks for reminding me of that.
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My mom is young as well but age doesn’t matter. She’ll always be a big kid and my best friend. 🙂
It makes me happy to read that others have a great relationship with their mothers as well. Enjoy!
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She is amazing 🙂 You too.. Both of you are amazing..
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I love this post – I have to say you’ve written some great posts but this one was the best – love it and enjoy your mom every moment – I lost my mother a few years ago and I still think of her every day – like you I spent so much time with my mother and there is not a day of regret as I move on without her – just wonderful cherished memories!
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I hope this post was another positive reminder of your mother. Do you have a favorite memory with her? I’d love to read it. 🙂
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Yes I enjoyed your story because my mother could be a nut bar – she loved to laugh and she always told me I was too serious! I think you might like this story – it’s the story of my mother and our relationship – it was recently published in Chicken Soup for the Soul – Miraculous Messages from heaven. My mother taught me everything including the kind of mom I’ve become to my two boys – enjoy..
http://momwhearingloss.wordpress.com/2011/11/06/connections/
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Your mother looks like a woman who knows how to have fun! What a great time you must have had as a child, and enjoying her even more now that you are a mother. Love it.
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I watched her run around today with my daughter and it brought me such joy. I cherish our time together. 🙂
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Beautiful pictures. You are so lucky to have all these wonderful memories. Continue with the passion she has shown you and live life to the fullest.
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Truly beautiful. I love the picture of her with the statue! 🙂 I hope that I can be the same type of mom for my daughter! You give me something to aspire to.
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I try to be the same type of mom to my daughter. It is refreshing 🙂
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This is so beautiful…what an amazing mother, and daughter. My mom has been gone 17 years today…I miss her so much. Thanks for the great post.
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I hope the memory of your mother is still strong and you always have her with you.
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Thank you…
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You mom looks absolutely awesome
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Beautiful! Love the imagery and laughs! Your mom sounds extraordinary! Love the way you expressed your unconditional love for her 🙂
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Your mother is beautiful ) She’s young-at-heart and it’s wonderful!
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This post is positively radiating love and joy, just like it’s clear your mother has for you throughout your life. What a delight! Thanks for sharing, Lesley!!
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Really enjoyed it thanks. I gotta a mom too. 😉 Great picture accompany it. I will dedicate my post to my mom too. (sorry for the copy cat… cheers.
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Thanks for sharing, Lesley! I love this post so much! Such a beautiful tribute! I lost my mom when I was 12 and every day I wish we’d had more time together. But I’ll always cherish the moments we shared. Keep on living your life and cherishing those moments together.:)
-Donna
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Donna,
It makes me cry to read that you lost your mother when you were so young. I can’t begin to put myself in your shoes.
I hope you are able to remember moments with her forever.
Lesley
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Awww…thanks Lesley. I hope I’m able to remember the moments we shared forever as well.
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I like your mom already, though I don’t know her. 😉
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What a wonderful post. Thank you!
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Wonderful post!
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It is amazing to recognise what is dear to your heart and express it in a such a passionate way. Way to go 🙂
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What an absolutely beautiful tribute to your mother! Thank you for sharing it.
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Great post. My mom and daughter are the most important girls in my life. Mom was a kindergarten teacher and even after retirement she is still a kid at heart. I loved growing up in her world, we weren’t rich but we didn’t go hungry and we were loved and we were the centre of her universe. Over the years, she’s given to us in time and love more than we could ever imagine. My mom is amazing and I loved your tribute to your mom. Pictures are great not as embarrassing as they probably were back when they were taken.
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Beautiful, Pascale! I love to read about the fond memories that families have created. We are blessed. 🙂
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Moms make the world go round.
❤
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Beautiful and moving post. Your mother looks such fun to be around. Would that all mothers were made in her likeness.
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Hi there Lesley
Your Mother comes across as incredibly beautiful in all ways – showing her daughter (children) how to live. What a great tribute, Brought a little lump to my throat, as both my Mum and Dad passed away when I was in my 20s/30s.
I always say my father gave me my roots and my mother taught me how to fly. It’s the way it seemed to work in our household. Happy holidays.xx,
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As I read through comments of loss, I can’t help but cry. I wish that it was never part of our lives. You are such a beautiful person and I hope that the found memories of your parents are strong every day so they can live on.
Thank you for sharing; your parents did a great job.
🙂
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Your lovely blog has been nominated the ‘Blog Of 2013′ award.
(http://thehappydigest.com/2013/12/05/the-blog-of-the-year-award-2013/)
Your kind acceptance is much appreciated. Take care and have a fantastic weekend! 😀
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I love the photos on this blog! They really generate smiles! Thanks for sharing x
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What a lovely tribute to your mother.
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……absolutely the best post ever!!!!!
Take care and God Bless 🙂 Kenny T
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It is a beautiful homage to your MOn.
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A beautiful post, with great pictures!
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Lesley, what a wonderful tribute to your beautiful mother. You’ve reminded of all the wonderful things my mother has taught me and continues to teach me today. We are both so blessed to have them in our lives still. Of course, I would never have admitted that during my teen years. Great job.
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This truly warms my heart and touches my soul. Our mothers are our truest source to every aspect of life…in how we view it and live it. Love is the base of everything and there is no love as great or unconditional as a mother. Thanks for this post. What a wonderful mother you have and what a wonderful daughter she raised. I especially love the free spirit of both of you.
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I can see your mother is an inspiration. I’m glad parents don’t stop living nowadays just because they have children. Used to be parents were waaaaaaaayyyyyy too serious. 🙂
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Great mum! The fun part (dancing, laughing, silliness…) is the best thing a parent can teach a child in this often too serious world! Show appreciation for these things as often as you can!
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you are so fortunate to have your mother in your life, mine died suddenly and way too young almost 20 years ago, i still miss her every day!
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I’m usually a silent reader, but I had to comment to this. Such a lovely post and when its not mother’s day either 🙂 Your mother is so so beautiful. Travel, outdoor and fun loving mom. WOW!
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What beautiful memories! Your mom must be beaming from ear to ear! She sounds wonderful! Love the beautiful pictures.
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Beautiful post. Thank you and you are truly blessed. It must make the ones with evil, narcissistic, selfish, abusive and unloving mothers tearful.
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