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This weekend it struck me: My daughter, who is just a year old, will never know a world where there hasn’t been a woman in the White House. And until the age of 41, I’ve never known a world where there has. My kids will never live in a country where there hasn’t been a…
Hi friends! Ok, so as I mentioned a few weeks ago, this summer I’m partnering with Lean Cuisine in the Feed Your PhenomenalTM campaign to share stories of great accomplishments and great food. We’re doubling down on the greatness here, folks! In my last post I shared the brand’s message reinforcing that when we are evaluating ourselves, the most important thing we should weigh is our accomplishments. Now, as a part of their Phenomenal Effect campaign, Lean Cuisine wants to help recognize the important things women do every day that go unnoticed.
I’m sure we can all relate to this; so much of what we do is the behind the scenes “prep work” that doesn’t necessarily receive acclaim most of the time. But it matters. It all matters.
Today I’m sharing the story of an amazing woman in my life: My mom, Linda Curtis. Not only has she been an amazing mom to me, but she has also been the “go-to” mom for many of my friends as well. She isn’t the type of person who’s the center of attention, yet people have always congregated around her. She was somehow able to make our childhood home a gathering spot for kids who needed a place to gather. Everyone felt welcome there. She has been a second mom to many over the years. 
Until I became a mother myself I didn’t realize the amount of effort it takes to create that kind of welcoming atmosphere in a home. Somehow I believed that my mom could, without any apparent effort or planning, have a meal ready for 5 of my friends with no advance notice and also have time to pick us up from sports and go over our homework. Somehow this stuff just happened.
Now, of course, I realize that wasn’t the case at all–my mom had to plan and prep and clean and make all of that happen.
The things that moms can make happen seem like sheer magic when you’re a child. It is this unnoticed but all important effort that is the hallmark of so many mothers out there.
My own mom has been the most supportive and loving person I could imagine having in my life, and continues to be that way with her grandson. Our house is still a gathering place. Our house is a family home because my mom made it that way.
When I think about raising my own little boy I think about the magic and comfort and joy of my childhood and realize that so much of that was because of my mother. I want to create that kind of space in my own way.
So thank you mom for everything that you have done for so many years, even when I didn’t notice it. Especially when I didn’t notice it. I notice it now.
How amazing would it be if we all took the time to write a short note to a woman we respect and admire? And how great would it be to get a note from someone who respects and admires us?
To be a part of this movement, and to see more stories of phenomenal women, visit the Phenomenal Effect website. You could win prizes for yourself and everyone that you recognize. So leave a message of your own and spread some goodwill! And let’s start the conversation right here: Who are some of the phenomenal women in your life? Each comment left on the blog will automatically be entered to win a $100 Visa Gift card, thanks to SheKnows!
Lean Cuisine wants to help recognize the unseen things women do every day that go unnoticed. For more information on Lean Cuisine’s products you can visit their Facebook page and follow them on Twitter!
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you said it perfectly!! It always seemed like those special events just happened on their own. Great meals, fun activities, special holiday treats. This couldn’t be more true about your mom!!
Shout out to my own mother. Yes, I copied you Liz. But fingers just kept typing the names of other women (also quite worthy) but then it seemed the name just kept deleting themselves. No one is more phenomenal to me than my mom. Four kids, nine grandkids (most of which she provides daycare for), breast cancers survivor, summer pool host to so many who just love to “show up” and she just keeps on giving. My mum has ALWAYS put herself last. She still does and I adore her and all she does for me and everyone else. I don’t know what I would do without her. Plus her grandma name is “G”
I’d like to recognize my sister who has always been there for me, but especially after our mom passed away. My sister too is one of those amazing women like your mom who made the kids in her neighborhood feel welcome in her home. She was also so incredibly helpful when I delivered my first child. She was so supportive and helped with all of the cooking and cleaning so that I could just focus on caring for my newborn. She also threw a Sip n See for our family to meet the baby and made the most amazing cupcake tower with incredibly delicious cupcakes she baked herself. To watch her work around the house is amazing- she buzzes about like a bee from one task to the next. Truly amazing how much energy she has in spite of dealing with serious pain she suffers from adhesions. She is such an amazing woman I can’t say enough about her.
I also forgot to add that she is just so amazing with children. She is so patient and caring and fun. I call her the pied piper of children…kids just love her!
Tweet: https://twitter.com/OneFrugalGirl/status/631966665647988736
I’d like to recognize my mother because she is a phenomenal woman on so many levels. She volunteers to run with young girls, instilling confidence in them and getting them healthier. She also survived stage 3 colon cancer, ran 2 marathons and raised 2 kids as a single parent on a teacher’s salary.
https://twitter.com/yarbr012/status/632346224528506880
My Mom is awesome, and while I always knew it, I’m finally now truly understanding how awesome she is (as a mom myself and someone who has worked with hospitalized children and their families). She devoted countless hours to being with me during my treatments for leukemia when I was a child. I was never alone in the hospital which was a big sacrifice for her as well as the rest of my family. She was certainly stressed, but I didn’t see it- she was by my side using compassion and humor to comfort me. She and I are still very tight and talk almost daily in spite of living 3 hours apart. Thanks for the chance to recognize her!
My mom is definitely one of the greats. She has the kindness of Normal Arnold with the sass of Sophia Petrillo. No one better!
My Mom was one of the most phenomenal women in my life. The others are my 2 aunts, both widowed at a young age with small children and not only did they manage, their families thrived.
Giving a HUGE shout out to my good friend, Krist Otto! She is a wonderful woman, great friend, and the BEST mother. I have watched her do soooo much for her son, and never complains. She is incredibly selfless and I am lucky to be her friend.