One Secret to a Working Mom Success: Celebrate the Seasons With Traditions

Greetings from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania ! Things have been busy. I am still a working mom of three, working full time who is trying to make a difference. I do a lot of things and try to be present so that I can learn from them. I share them on this blog so that we can learn together. Below are some thoughts, hacks, and/or lessons that I have learned from navigating my world. "Family traditions counter alienation and confusion. They help us define who we are; they provide something steady, reliable and safe in a confusing world."— Susan Lieberman   Traditions have a way of defining a family, provide stability and give hope. They are especially important for woking moms who spend so much time working to provide for their family that they may miss some of the "traditional" mom things like bake sales, volunteering at the book fair, and a host of actual and seemingly made up holidays.  They are also important for families trying to reinvent themselves in the wake of d...

Thankful Thursday: Me and My Mama

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Photo credit: Craig Ashby taken at book signing of "Dream Come True"

"My identity rests firmly and happily in one fact: I am my mother's daughter." -Spanglish

Everyone knows that it takes a village to raise a child. And for me, my mama, Cecilia Griffin Golden, is at the heart of my village.
She has been there for me in so many ways, but she really shows up in force when I have my kids. She shows me what to do, steps in when I'm fatigued, and makes lots and lots of food. She mellows me, even though she has been known to be a little hyper herself! :-)

Many reading this might not be impressed because "that's what moms do". However, providing that support is impressive. And receiving that support is life changing. It gives me the courage to relax in who I am and to give my children the best part of me.

Our relationship is perfectly imperfect. Sometimes we argue. And sometimes we get on each others nerves. That's the nature of all relationships. But what we are, in our glorious imperfection are mother and daughter. I have no story without her. My character is stronger because of her. And the life that I live is a function of the sacrifices she made for me and the vision she had for my life. 


So on this, dreary, rainy, Thursday, I want to publicly give thanks for my mom and all that she does for me. I'm grateful for it. And although I've come to rely on it, I do not take it for granted.

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