In no particular order,

some things I've learned from my mother:

1) It is absolutely necessary to communicate with your children, by any means possible.  When I was younger, my mother and I often had difficulty discussing emotional topics face to face.  In order to maintain communication, she started the practice of writing letters to me, to which I would respond with a letter of my own.  This was genius!  We could each get out what we wanted to say, worded exactly as intended.  The recipient could then read, ponder, and respond thoughtfully.  If necessary, I fully intend to employ this technique with my own children.

2) The emotions of a child (or adolescent) should be taken seriously.  They are just as valid as an adult's.  Listen.  Try to understand.

3) As a mother, it is important to take time for yourself.  Parenting is a difficult job.  Take time to recharge those batteries.  It will make you a better mom.

4) It's okay to make mistakes; that's how we learn.  I have certainly made my fair share of mistakes and though I am certain many of these mistakes were a source of incredible stress and anxiety for my mother, I never felt like she was judging me.  I only felt that she was worried about me and that she worried because she loved me.  Thank you, Mom, for never giving up on me.  You had faith that I would learn, and I did.

5) It is important to forgive, even if you can't forget.  To hold a grudge against someone is to give them power over you.  Through forgiveness, you free yourself.

6) Art is important.  Creativity should be celebrated.

7) Reading is fun(damental).  Growing up, our house was always filled with books.  Some of my fondest childhood memories are of our frequent trips to the library.  On road trips, my mom often read novels aloud to keep us entertained.  I read voraciously as a child and to this day, reading is one of my greatest loves.  That love was nurtured and expanded through school, but it began at home.

8) Girlfriends are important.  Cherish your friends and make time for them in your life, no matter what.

9) Mascara works miracles.  For reals.

10) The world is full of amazing people.  Talk to them!  My mom is constantly having conversations with people she doesn't know.  Growing up, I didn't understand why anyone would want to waste their energy talking to a complete stranger.  To me, small talk was difficult.  To my mom, it was a fun way to pass the time.  Now that I'm older, I understand the value of such a pastime.  When you open yourself up to people, you open yourself up to a whole new world of opportunity, connection, possibility.  I am still fairly awkward socially, but I am trying to be more open and hope to one day possess even a fraction of my mother's conversational ease.

11) The WORLD is amazing.  Explore it!  Travel with the people you love, or do it on your own, just do it.  And when you do, take lots of pictures, meet lots of people, and keep yourself open to whatever life has in store.

This list is no where near complete.  Thank you, Mom, for all that you have taught me and all that you continue to teach me to this day.  You are an amazing woman.  I love you and am proud to call you Mom.  Happy Mother's Day!!!