This Mother’s Day, I’m working with Clever Girls in support of Macy’s Heart of Haiti to shine a light on the “trade, not aid” program, which provides sustainable income to Haitian artisans struggling to rebuild their lives and support their families after the 2010 earthquake. 

I’ve been very fortunate in my life by being surrounded by strong, amazing women, and I can not talk about Mother’s Day without talking about them.  First, by a long shot was my Grandma Frankenfield.  This woman scared me at times because of how sure she was about the world, and how matter of fact she was about the order of her house.  When my grandparents lived in Ohio, my mom would take my brother and I on a train to visit them.

But once I got to their house, it was beautiful, and well decorated.  She had 9 children with a vast variety of personalities.  It was through her strength I admired, but feared at the same time.  When I became a teenager I became more sassy and tried to test her, but learned it was her way or the highway, and just as fast learned to keep my mouth shut.  One of the things I truly remember about my grandmother was her love of teddy bears and teapots and her collection of spoons.  I also remember the visits where my mom and I would dust off her spoons and teapot collections for her.

One year, we visited around the holidays, and I made this lovely bear blanket for her.  I was so very proud of this, one of the first gifts I gave that was truly made from love.

Another amazing woman in my life was my Grandma Ida.  When my parents divorced, my father moved in with his parents, and every other weekend while he slept since he worked overnights I would hang out with my grandma.  I would watch her cook, as she made an amazing homecook meal every night, and after dinner, my brother and I, with her, would sit around the table and play cards.  This is where she taught us to play Rummi 500, Horse, Gin, and cribbage.  Although I was far too young to understand cribbage at the time, I would sit and watch my grandma and brother play.   She was also the very first person I loved dearly that suffered from cancer, and the first of my grandparents to pass.  I will always cherish the memories I have of her.

And then, of course, my mother.  I can not thank her enough for all that she has truly done for me.  She has brought me into this amazing life, she has supported me throughout my childhood, andhas always been there.  Although, now, I know our relationship is not nearly as strong as it once was, I just want her to know that I love her, and do recognize all she has ever done for me.  From the constant hospital visits when I was young from my many ear infections, to being there as I was bullied in middle school, to supporting me as I went off to college.  If it was not for her I would have never been able to go.  Also, because of her, I got to partake in a trip of a lifetime to Australia and New Zealand.  She has done a lot for me, and I am forever grateful.

This picture was me and my mother on my wedding day.  Although the marriage did not last, this is still one of my all time favorite pictures of the two of us, and I had to share.

And, of course, this Mother’s Day, being it’s May 13th, ironically, the original wedding anniversary from the day above, but it was also the day we lost an amazing woman in our lives.  Grandma Nana, to me, she was my Great Grandmother, and she lived to 91 years old.  That is quite the life for anyone to live.  She was beautiful, smart, and extremely crafty.  She made beautiful afghans, dolls that always put a smile on my face, and so much more.  I have some pretty amazing memories of her.

We were very fortunate to get this picture of her.  She looked so beautiful at this moment in time, and it was a really good, happy day for her.

It’s because of these women in my life that I have become who I am today.  It is because of their strength, their morals, and their teachings that I have become a confident, beautiful woman myself, and I can not thank them enough!

Thank you to Macy’s Heart of Haiti for sponsoring my participation in this “Share Your Heart” promotion. I was selected for this sponsorship by the Clever Girls Collective. All opinions expressed here are my own.

Disclosure:  Because of this post I was given 2 Macy’s Heat of Haiti Necklaces, which are shown at the top of this post.   One for me, and one to give to an amazing woman in my life!