Description: A self portrait of my girlies and I on Mother's Day this year. Journaling (printed on vellum and attatched over pp for a softer look) about how bittersweet this day is for me. Stamp is hard to read in pic, but says I love you around outside and 2008 on inside. Thanks for looking!!

Journaling:
Mother's Day. This day has always been very hard for me. There are the commercials and radio ads and every store you go into there's some great deal on flowers to let your Mom know how much you love her. This day hurts because it is the one day that reminds me the most every year of what I don't have. What I've never really had. Never in the sense that obviously someone gave birth to me, she was present for the first 3 years or so of my existence, but she had no self control. Her weakness was alcohol and it consumed and controlled her life and left it, my sister, father and i spinning out of control. This was when my Dad gained sole custody of my sister and I. My sister will forever be a reminder of the battle my mother either lost or refused to fight, with her diagnosis of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. We came out just fine, or at least I'd like to think so, under Dad's gourmet meals of pan-fried bologna and family meals at Denny's, and he did the best he could by both of us. Despite his best efforts there was always something missing, something I longed for. Every year on Mother's Day i was painfully reminded of what this was. It hurt to think of what could have been, and the bond we could have shared. Then, I myself became a Mom, and this day suddenly breathed a whole new meaning. It became a day to look forward to and take pride in. Looking at my own beautiful daughters, this is a day when I make sure they know how much I love them and will always be there for them. I make sure to celebrate in the little things with them so they grow up with fond memories or our times together. So now when Mother's Day rolls around there is still a pang of emptiness, but the fullness I feel now that I am a Mom overshadows that in a way that fills me with such complete and utter happiness. I love you so much Kalei and Jenna, thank you for making Mommy's day so special and filling that emptiness simply by being you. -Mother's Day 2008-