As Mother’s Day approaches, most of us are filled with love, remembrance and gratitude.
I know I am.
As I mention in our forthcoming newly-revamped newsletter, I have discovered that gratitude is a life-changing attitude, especially in my role as founder and leader of a not-for-profit organization like The Ivey.
It certainly changed my life over 12 years ago when I was able to leave corporate America to help my Dad care for my Mother, who had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. I remain grateful for my Mom, who showed me through the greatest sacrifice of all – in essence, her life – that I needed to blaze a trail for a memory wellness solution that could help other families struggling through living with memory loss.
Mothers are known for sacrificing everything for their children. In many ways, it’s how they are hard-wired. And as our loved ones age, an interesting role reversal begins to happen, in which the grown children then begin to sacrifice much of themselves in the interest of Mom or Dad’s comfort, security, well-being and dignity.
These are deep, instinctual expressions of familial love, playing out over the mysterious journey of life.
As I have said many times before, The Ivey stands as a tribute to my Mom – the greatest thing I could create to honor her life, her sacrifice, and her beautiful soul.
But it also stands as a tribute to every Mom out there. The Moms who packed our school lunches, washed out skinned knees, cried as we pulled out of the driveway heading off to college, and guided us through the various trials, tribulations and adventures of our relationships, careers and life changes.
These are the Moms that have dedicated their lives to loving us up, giving us hope, making us laugh, driving us crazy, calming our hearts, pointing the way, and empowering our lives.
So during this “Mother’s Day Week,” I extend my sincere gratitude to all of the individuals and families who have helped make The Ivey a continual reality for nearly a decade and running. Your gifts of membership, friendship, time, talent, and treasure have made a major difference in the lives of all of us!
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