who believes in you

 We all have our support systems ~ family, friends, coworkers...perhaps neighbors

or those that are in a like-minded group we belong to. Those who support us and

believe in us, no matter the path we choose.

But there's nothing quite like the love and support of mom - if we're blessed to

still have our mom in our lives. I'm still blessed to have mine, and as a lot of the

world chose to celebrate Mom yesterday on a "Hallmark holiday", I enjoyed a visit
 with my beautiful mother at her house. She just got home from a two-month
 stay in Kentucky, taking care of her 97-year old father who suffered a heart
attack. She is always willing to jump in her car and travel eight hours to take
 care of her dad, putting her own needs aside. That's just one of the things I love
 and admire about my mom!

 And, as a mother myself, I've always believed in my two sons. One of the things I

always said to them was, "The world is your oyster and you are the pearl." Very sad to

say though, that my oldest son, Philip believed in everyone but himself. Some of you know

that he suffered with depression and God-only-knows whatever other mental demons

and that despite all the love, support, and help we could find and muster, ultimately it

was drugs and alcohol that took Phil's life at the tender age of 21.

 (Phil, me, Tim ~ 2008)

My youngest son, Tim, who is now 22 thanked me yesterday for my patience 

(patience - me?!) and belief and support in him. And I got a couple of long, hard

hugs from him. What more can a mom ask for? He told me that this card said everything

that he was feeling. I was moved to tears.

 My "baby" will be moving out in just seven weeks ~ renting a house with his cousin

and a few other young people ~ and attending university which is a 1-1/2 hour drive away.

 Even though this will be a hard adjustment for both of us, I know we'll both be fine.

 Because I believe in him and he's going to shine and grow and develop into

the most beautiful pearl I've ever seen.