The Power of Acknowledgment ~

On this eve of Mother’s Day, I want to acknowledge first my wonderful grandmother, Lena Handler, who I believe taught me the true meaning of acknowledgment. In fact, one of my earliest memories of her special gift was in her garden, where she would tell me how special I was and give me a mint leaf, which she had just crushed. I think that leaf was the first “acknowledge-mint” I can remember. I loved and still love her with all my heart. And any time I smell fresh mint, I am back in her garden.
Next is my mother, Sylvia Handler Wagreich. She lived and breathed acknowledgment for all of the 1000’s of children she had in her third grade classes over a 34 year period. And for my brother Carl and me, she was almost always pure and positive energy. How special we felt to her, and she to us. I still feel her loving presence watching over me as I handle the joys and challenges of my life.

And then there is my daughter, Stefanie Armstrong, who became a mother just before Mother’s Day last year, making me a Grandma to Lilith Armstrong. I don’t believe I have ever experienced such joy as I do in seeing my grandchild grow and learn and flourish, under her mother – my daughter’s – watchful and loving eye. I know this may sound like an exaggeration, but I don’t know if I have ever met a more caring and devoted mother than my daughter. How proud I am of her and of the gift she and her husband Shaun have given me.

And I guess I am in there as a Mother, too – and maybe I could or should acknowledge myself just a little as this holiday approaches. I have allowed my children to be my teachers as well as my students, and we have all grown from that. I love them with passion and commitment, as I know all of you who are mothers and are reading this blog post do. If you are drawn to the power of acknowledgment, you are a loving, caring, nurturing mother – imperfect at times, but dedicated to your children’s realizing their full potential, as you continue to develop yours.

So to my daughter, my mother and my grandmother – I thank you all for the incredible models and experience of motherhood you provide to me. And I wish all of the mothers out there a beautiful, nurturing day of love with your families. I acknowledge all of you for the incredible job you do as Mothers!

Happy Mother’s Day!