CHICKEN SOUP FOR EVERY MOM’S SOUL
CHICKEN SOUP
FOR EVERY
MOM’S SOUL
New Stories of Love and
Inspiration for Moms of All Ages
Jack Canfield
Mark Victor Hansen
Heather McNamara
Marci Shimoff
Health Communications, Inc.
Deerfield Beach, Florida
www.hcibooks.com
www.chickensoup.com
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Chicken soup for every mom’s soul : new stories of love and inspiration for moms of all ages / Jack Canfield...[et al.].
p. cm.
eISBN-13: 978-0-7573-9496-6
eISBN-10: 0-7573-9496-5
1. Mothers—Anecdotes. 2. Motherhood—Anecdotes. 3. Mother and child— I. Canfield, Jack, 1944-
HQ759.C523 2005
306.874’3—dc22
2004060705
© 2005 John T. Canfield and Hansen and Hansen LLC
All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the written permission of the publisher.
HCI, its logos and marks are trademarks of Health Communications, Inc.
Publisher: Health Communications, Inc.
3201 S.W. 15th Street
Deerfield Beach, FL 33442–8190
Cover design by Andrea Perrine Brower
Inside formatting by Dawn Von Strolley Grove
We dedicate this book to baby Navarrette,
who witnessed its creation from coauthor
Heather’s womb. We welcome you
and all new babies with our deepest wishes
for a world full of joy, peace and love.
Contents
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Share with Us
1. ON LOVE
Saying I Love You LindaCarol Cherken
Behind Blue Eyes Jenny Graham
Words to Love By Mother Teresa
Princess Kristy Ross
An Impromptu Dance at Dusk Marian Gormley
Billy the Brave J. T. Fenn
Cellular Love Amy Hirshberg Lederman
Mini Massage Therapists Marian Gormley
The Gravy Boat Rescue W. W. Meade
Mom’s Favorite Child Sue Thomas Hegyvary
Letter to Josh Linda Masters
My Mother’s Blue Bowl Alice Walker
Love on Trial James N. McCutcheon
2. A MOTHER’S COURAGE
My Mother’s Strength Patricia Jones
Learning to Say Hello Kathi Rose
Pennies from Heaven Susan Clarkson Moorhead
Shoulder to Shoulder Carol McAdoo Rehme
Bound by Love Victoria Patterson
A Misfortune—Not a Tragedy James A. Nelson
My Son, the Street Person Eva Nagel
3. ON MOTHERHOOD
Motherhood: A Transformation Peggy Jaeger
Sibling Rivalry Deeptee and Vikrum Seth
Loving Her Best Deborah Shouse
Motherhood 101 Karen L. Waldman with Alyson Powers
What I Want Most for You, My Child Saritha Prabhu
And What Do You Do? Jennifer Singer
The Littlest Girl Scout Erica Orloff
Lost and Found Alice Steinbach
A Long Day at the Track Mary Kay Blakely
The Kiddie Garden Jacklyn Lee Lindstrom
Anniversary Celebration Renee Mayhew
Near Misses and Good-Night Kisses Sally Nalbor
4. BECOMING A MOTHER
Replicas Melissa Arnold Hill
Pink and Blue Makes . . . Green? Debbie Farmer
Outpouring of Love Jean Brody
Love Can Build a Bridge Naomi Judd
Calling Mr. Clean Karen C. Driscoll
I Am a Mother Joan Sedita
I’ll Do It Barbara Wojciechowski as told to Heather Black
You’ll Never Be the Same Kim McLarin
5. INSIGHTS AND LESSONS
Mother’s Lessons Can Last a Lifetime Vicki Marsh Kabat
Entertaining Angels Jaye Lewis
Trying Times and Dirty Dishes Cynthia Hamond
On-the-Job Training Karen Trevor
Mother’s Magic Mimi Greenwood Knight
Gotta Watch the Fish Eat Cheryl Kirking
Dancing for Fireflies Sarah Benson
Nobody’s Perfect Mary Kay Blakely
A Mother’s Letter to Santa Debbie Farmer
Momma’s Little Surprise Susan Krushenick
Look at Me Jaie Ouens
Mother Love Carol McAdoo Rehme
The Last Rebellion—Weddings Ruth Lehrer
Recipe for Life Arthur Bowler
6. SPECIAL MOMENTS
Snow at Twilight Maggie Wolff Peterson
Picture Day Carolyn C. Armistead
Sharing a Bowl of Happiness Kristy Ross
The Good-Night Kiss Georgette Symonds
Anticipating the Empty Nest Bonnie Feuer
Teddy Bear Tonic Bonnie Walsh Davidson
The Day Mama Went on Strike Nancy West
The Peach-Colored Crayon Phyllis Nutkis
7. MOTHERS AND DAUGHTERS
The Bike Trip Peggy Newland
The Piano Phyllis Nutkis
Don’t Cry Out Loud Carla Riehl
First Love Sophia Valles Bligh
It’s a Date! Carol McAdoo Rehme
My Daughter, the Musician Linda Ellerbee
She Came Back Bearing Gifts Luann Warner
The Pink High-Tops Dorothy Raymond Gilchrest
8. LETTING GO
To See You Cynthia M. Hamond
Mama’s Hands Beth Crum Sherrow
The Fragrance of Chanel Charlotte A. Lanham
Signs of the Times Bonnie Michael
Light in the Dark Betsey Neary
Tomorrow Is Not Promised Rita Billbe
9. A GRANDMOTHER’S LOVE
A Dance with My Grandmother Rusty Fischer
Mended Hearts and Angel Wings Anne S. Cook
Sacred Cows Ina Hughs
Gran Mary Ann Horenstein
Little Bits of Letting Go Lynda Van Wyk
Porch-Swing Cocktails Rusty Fischer
10. TIES THAT BIND
Another Mother Jann Mitchell
Recapturing the Joy Lee Sanne Buchanan
In the Eyes of the Beholders Deborah Shouse
Sunday Afternoons Phyllis Nutkis
Baked with Loving Hands Phyllis Ring
The Intent of the Heart Walker Meade
Mother’s Silver Candlesticks Liesel Shineberg
Baby Steps Jane Glenn Haas
The Mother’s Day Gift Joan Sutula
The Quilt Paula McDonald
More Chicken Soup?
Supporting Others
Who Is Jack Canfield?
Who Is Mark Victor Hansen?
Who Is Heather McNamara?
Who Is Marci Shimoff?
Contributors
Permissions
Acknowledgments
The path to Chicken Soup for Every Mom’s Soul has been made all the more beautiful by the many great supporters who have been there with us along the way. Our heartfelt gratitude to:
Our families, who have been chicken soup for our souls!
Inga, Travis, Riley, Christopher, Oran and Kyle for all their love and support.
Patty, Elisabeth and Melanie Hansen, for once again sharing and lovingly supporting u
s in creating yet another book.
Willanne Ackerman, Heather’s mom, for taking time out of her busy-filled days to read every story and edit the ones that needed a bit more oomph—all because she would do anything for one of her children. Pete Ackerman, Willanne’s husband, for giving Willanne the freedom to do anything for one of her children. Katy and Laura McNamara, readers extraordinaire, who read all the stories out of a backpack while on a trip through Italy with the entire McNamara clan. Heather’s brother, Danny, for always being there when needed. Rick Navarrette, who we know is going to be a wonderful father—just like Heather’s dad—Jim McNamara.
Sergio Baroni for supporting us and for sharing his truth, joy and love of life. Thank you for the ever-present song in your heart. Marci’s always loving and supportive parents, Marcus and Louise Shimoff, and Lynda, Paul, Susan, Max, Francesca, Silvia, Ivan, Aaron, Jared, Tony and Vickie for being such a great family. Catherine Oxenberg and Bonnie Solow for being cherished soul sisters, and Bill Bauman for his profound gifts of love and wisdom.
Carol Kline for her invaluable contribution to the creation of this book. Your clear insight, sound judgment and extraordinary skill in evaluating and editing stories were a supreme gift. And your friendship is always deeply treasured.
D’ette Corona for amazing us with her near-miraculous abilities and achievements in obtaining permissions, communicating with contributors, and so much more.We thank you deeply for your great dedication, heart and spirit.
Our publisher Peter Vegso, for his vision and commitment to bringing Chicken Soup for the Soul to the world.
Patty Aubery and Russ Kamalski for masterfully developing and advancing Chicken Soup for the Soul books and projects around the globe. Thank you for continually opening new channels for achievement and success.
Sue Penberthy for her calm, steady presence, her devoted help in obtaining permissions and her never-ending support. Cindy Buck for the precision, brilliance and joy she brings to the process of editing.
Patty Hansen, for her thorough and competent handling of the legal and licensing aspects of the Chicken Soup for the Soul books. You are magnificent at the challenge!
Laurie Hartman, for being a precious guardian of the Chicken Soup brand.
Veronica Romero, Barbara LoMonaco, Teresa Esparza, Robin Yerian, Jesse, Ianniello, Jamie Chicoine, Jody Emme, Debbie Lefever, Michelle Adams, Dee Dee Romanello, Shanna Vieyra, Lisa Williams, Gina Romanello, Brittany Shaw, Dena Jacobson, Tanya Jones, Mary McKay and David Coleman, who support Jack’s and Mark’s businesses with skill and love.
Allison Janse, our main editor at Health Communications, Inc., for her deep devotion to excellence and for always being a joy to work with. Bret Witter, Elisabeth Rinaldi, and Kathy Grant for maintaining high standards of excellence.
Terry Burke, Tom Sand, Lori Golden, Tom Galvin, Sean Geary, Kelly Johnson Maragni, Patricia McConnell, Ariana Dainer, Kim Weiss, Paola Fernandez-Rana and Teri Peluso, the marketing, sales, and PR departments at Health Communications, Inc., for doing such an incredible job supporting our books.
Tom Sand, Claude Choquette, and Luc Jutras, who manage year after year to get our books transferred into thirty-six languages around the world.
The Art Department at Health Communications, Inc., for their talent, creativity and boundless patience in producing book covers and inside designs that capture the essence of Chicken Soup: Larissa Hise Henoch, Lawna Patterson Oldfield, Andrea Perrine Brower, Anthony Clausi and Dawn Von Strolley Grove.
All the Chicken Soup for the Soul coauthors, who make it such a joy to be part of this Chicken Soup family. We’re especially grateful to Jennifer Read Hawthorne who has worked with us on past books. Thank you for all we gained from sharing the journey with you.
Our glorious panel of readers who helped us makes the final selections and made invaluable suggestions on how to improve the book:
Willanne Ackerman, Joan Acuna, Diane Alabaster, Patty Aubery, Lindsay Baer, Alex Bunshaft, D’ette Corona, Allison Janse, Carol Kline, Eloise Leslie, Barbara LoMonaco, Nicki Lovett, Katy McNamara, Laura McNamara, Rita Navarrette, Sue Penberthy, Cindy Schwanke and Julie Young.
And, most of all, everyone who submitted their heartfelt stories, poems, quotes and cartoons for possible inclusion in this book. While we were not able to use everything you sent in, we know that each word came from a magical place flourishing within your soul. Thank you.
Because of the size of this project, we may have left out the names of some people who contributed along the way. If so, we are sorry, but please know that we really do appreciate you very much.
We are truly grateful and love you all!
Introduction
Mom. Mother. Mama. Mommy. No matter what name we use, a mom is one of the most significant people in our lives. A mom loves unconditionally. When we are small, she feeds us, clothes us, protects us from harm and guides our lives in every way. As we grow up, she’s our cheerleader and our conscience. Even when we are grown, she never stops wanting the very best for us. The mother-child relationship goes beyond time and space.
The experience of motherhood has many facets: the glow of pregnancy; the fatigue of labor; the ecstasy of giving birth, seeing your baby’s face for the very first time; the challenge of living with a toddler; the challenge of living with a teenager and the bittersweet pangs of seeing your babies leave the nest. Yet motherhood doesn’t end there—grown children still need their moms and as our own mothers age, we find ourselves mothering the invincible woman who gave us life.
This book is filled with stories about all aspects of motherhood, some humorous, some poignant, some inspiring— because motherhood is funny, poignant and inspiring. Whether you are an expectant mother, a new mother, a mother with children at home, a mother of children long grown or even a grandmother—these stories are for you. They will inspire you, entertain you and remind you of your most important role of all: being a mom.
Some things about being a mom never change, but in today’s world, a mom has new and unique challenges. In this book, you will find stories about love, courage and wisdom, as well as stories about the lighter side of mothering— or of being mothered. In the same way that mothers over the ages have sat together and shared their experiences, you will enjoy the stories from mothers and about mothers showcased in this book.
Our goal in writing this book is to honor moms everywhere. We offer these stories in the hope that they will help moms to celebrate their lives. May this book be a gift of inspiration and love.
Share with Us
We would like to invite you to send us stories you would like to see published in future editions of Chicken Soup for the Soul.
We would also love to hear your reactions to the stories in this book. Please let us know what your favorite stories are and how they affected you.
Please send submissions to:
Chicken Soup for the Soul
P.O. Box 30880
Santa Barbara, CA 93130
fax: 805-563-2945
You can also visit the Chicken Soup for the Soul Web site at:
www.chickensoup.com
We hope you enjoy reading this book as much as we enjoyed compiling, editing and writing it.
1
ON LOVE
Motherhood: All love begins and ends there.
Robert Browning
Saying I Love You
Love is a fruit in season at all times, and within reach of every hand.
Mother Teresa
When I was a new mommy, I invented a quiet little signal, two quick hand squeezes, that grew into our family’s secret “I love you.”
Long before she could debate the merits of pierced ears or the need to shave her legs, my daughter, Carolyn, would toddle next to me clasping my finger for that much-needed support to keep her from falling down.
Whether we were casually walking in the park or scurrying on our way to playgroup, if Carolyn’s tiny hand was in mine, I would tenderly squeeze it twice and whisper, “I l
ove you.” Children love secrets, and little Carolyn was no exception. So, this double hand squeeze became our special secret. I didn’t do it all the time—just every so often when I wanted to send a quiet message of “I love you” to her from me.
The years flew by, and Carolyn started school. She was a big girl now, so there was no need for little secret signals anymore . . . or so I thought.
It was the morning of her kindergarten class show. Her class was to perform their skit before the entire Lower School, which would be a daunting experience. The big kids—all the way to sixth grade—would be sitting in the audience. Carolyn was nervous, as were all her little classmates.
As proud family and friends filed into the auditorium to take their seats behind the students, I saw Carolyn sitting nervously with her classmates. I wanted to reassure her, but I knew that anything I said would run the risk of making her feel uncomfortable.
Then I remembered our secret signal. I left my seat and walked over to her. Carolyn’s big brown eyes watched each of my steps as I inched closer. I said not a word, but leaned over and took her hand and squeezed it twice. Her eyes met mine, and I immediately knew that she recognized the message. She instantly returned the gesture giving my hand two quick squeezes in reply. We smiled at each other, and I took my seat and watched my confident little girl, and her class, perform beautifully.
Carolyn grew up and our family welcomed two younger brothers, Bryan and Christian. Through the years, I got more experienced at the mothering game, but I never abandoned the secret “I love you” hand squeeze.
Whether the boys were running on the soccer field for a big game or jumping out of the car on the day of a final exam, I always had the secret hand squeeze to send them my message of love and support. I learned that when over-sentimental words from parents are guaranteed to make kids feel ill at ease, this quiet signal was always appreciated and welcomed.
Three years ago, my daughter married a wonderful guy. Before the ceremony, while we were standing at the back of the church waiting to march down the aisle, I could hardly look at my little girl, now all grown up and wearing her grandmother’s wedding veil, for fear of crying.
There was so much I wanted to say to her. I wanted to tell her how proud of her I was. I wanted to tell her that I treasured being her mom, and I looked forward to all the future had in store for her. However, most important, I wanted to tell her that I loved her. But I was positive that if I said even one word, Carolyn and I would both dissolve into tears.