What Moms Want

A friend’s friend posted this on Facebook. I simultaneously was laughing and crying because it’s exactly what I would say and what moms want. I had to share.

Thanks, Mary Carpenter for the great words!

So I’ve decided to be proactive and tell my kids what I want for mother’s day. Here it is:

What I Want for Mother’s Day

Dear Children,

Mother’s Day is coming up, and I thought I should tell you what I want. This way there’s no guilty panic or last minute purchasing of flowers at the closest gas station. So, this is what I want, this year and every year after; it’s pretty simple really.

I want you to be a decent human being.

I want you to be who you are, but don’t be an asshole.

I want you to work hard at everything you do, because life is too short not to give it everything you’ve got.

I want you to ask for help when you need it.

I want you to help others when they need it.

I want you to learn how to cook, do your own laundry, pay your bills and know how to clean a bathroom.

When you screw up, and you will, more than once, I want you to own it, because it’s the screw-ups that make the victories sweeter.

I want you to travel, because the world is huge and you are one part of it.

I want you to know that even when we hate each other, I will never stop loving you.

I want you to play nicely with others.

I want you to feed your curiosity.

I want you to find a way to do what you love, and realize that that might look different than you originally thought.

I want you to respect every human being’s right to be who they are.

I want you to sometimes be more interested in someone else than in yourself.

I want you to know that you are flawed and you are extraordinary. There is no one else like you.

I want you to know that I would lay down my life for you in Lily Potter fashion any day of the week.

I want you to realize how lucky you are every once in awhile even if only for an instant.

I want you to know love, even if it means getting hurt.

I want you to relax and not feel guilty about it.

I want you to know life can be brutally hard sometimes.

I want you to know that you can choose happiness even when the dark side offers you cookies.

And I wouldn’t mind breakfast in bed.

See, simple.

Love,

Mom

Show Your Support

I am Vermont strong.

The phrase has become a mantra for Vermonters. Following Tropical Storm Irene, portions of Vermont were completely devastated as you probably remember, either from living it here or from hearing about it there where you are.  Two Rutland individuals came up with the slogan in an effort to create a viral Facebook campaign. Instead, the two started a whole lot more.

In the own words from their website, the two explain a bit about themselves and the origin of I am Vermont strong.

What started out as an attempt to create a viral Facebook campaign with an image and a strong message of hope has turned into a successful fundraising effort for disaster relief organizations. Lyz Tomsuden and Eric Mallette, two native Vermonters now residing in Rutland, created the I Am Vermont Strong image with simple intention of manufacturing good energies out of a bad situation.

“We really just wanted to see if we could help show the world that we Vermonters are a unfied front in the battle against the devastating losses suffered by our state in the recent hurricane.” commented Eric Mallette.

“From there, it kind of went crazy!” added, Lyz Tomsuden, who created the image. “First we noticed everyone we know on Facebook was changing their profile pictures to the ‘Vermont Strong’ image. That’s when the requests for t-shirts started pouring in… by the hundreds!”

All proceeds will benefit Vermont not-for-profits dedicated to helping with Vermont recovery efforts!

Yesterday, Govenor Shumlin signed a law creating the I am Vermont strong license plate. The plate, which costs $25 is available for purchase. Proceeds from the sale of the plate to go to the Vermont Disaster Relief Fund. While it is my understanding that anyone can buy the plates, Vermont registered vehicles are permitted to replace their regular front license plate with the I am Vermont strong plate until 2014.

If you’re from Vermont consider purchasing a plate to support the effort. If you’re from away, but your heart lives in Vermont, consider purchasing a plate to show your support.