This is the first Mother’s Day without my Mom, and for sure, it’s an odd feeling. In fact, each milestone lately seems strange without her — my birthday, Thanksgiving, Christmas.

But Mother’s Day, of course, is especially meaningful, and while I gladly celebrate with my lovely wife and our children, and we make sure that Veek’s Mom knows how special she is to our family, I can’t help but be a bit morose today thinking about my Mom’s passing last year.

My Mom held a special place in my life, as most Moms do I suppose, and it was her influence which largely shaped who I am today. Between her and Veek, they taught me to be a man, to be an adult, to face obstacles with dignity and grace.

When my Mom was divorced in the early 1970′s and faced a future with three kids at home on a school teacher’s salary, she didn’t crater. She didn’t let us kids know how scared she must have been. She didn’t alter her expectations of us at all. She dealt with it, getting a second job at night and sacrificing with dignity. I’ve never forgotten those times, I never felt cheated or anything of the like, my Mom made sure we had a “normal” life.

My Mom also had a great sense of humor, and showed it often. Friends were always welcome at our house, and all of them seemed to enjoy interacting with her. She loved English comedies, and we watched countless hours of them together over the years. She was a woman who enjoyed a laugh.

She was also a voracious reader, our home was filled with books. She instilled a love of reading in all her children, something which has served us well in life.

So happy Mother’s Day to all the mothers out there. Your role in the lives of your kids should never be underestimated. As I sit here today and look at photos of my Mom, and think about our lives, what she meant to me, what she continues to mean to me, my wish is that every child realizes how precious their mother is, and to make sure they show it.

Thanks, Nancy. You did a great job, I love you and miss you, and only hope I can be as good a parent to my kids as you were to me.