I was blessed with many moms and women in my life who were like a mom. My life started with 16-year-old mom Beverley but soon it became just Dad and I and my babysitter, Sharon. Over the years, Dad married twice more and I spent my teenage years being raised by my amazing step-mom Sandy.    When I married Darren i got the most wonderful mother-in-law, Dottie.

I wanted to share with you the lessons learned from these incredible women.

Forgive your mom. I didn’t have a true relationship with my mom, Beverley, until I was 31. When she died suddenly four years ago, I put my Mom to rest with no regrets and nothing left unsaid. She taught me you will make mistakes as a mother but you need to learn to say sorry and do it differently next time. Your mom is not perfect — learn to see her through a 90% lens. You’ll never regret that.

Sharon taught me that every child deserves love, even if they aren’t your children. Her house, filled with her three boys by the railroad track, was where I felt love. I have many happy memories of the woman who would greet me at the door with a hug. I am still so grateful to her.

Love your mother-in-law, which I know isn’t always the easiest thing to do. I lost my mother-in-law 14 years ago and I miss her. I learned to see her through my 90% lens and accept her for who she was. Dottie taught me that there is nothing is more important than time with your family. She would happily pack up a dinner she had just made or leave the garden she was working in to join us in whatever we wanted to do with her. I never turn down a chance to do anything with my teenagers; I know in a flash they will be grown.

My step-mom Sandy taught me to love everyone for who they are. She has this amazing ability to accept people where they are in their lives and love them anyway. She always says, “They are doing the best they can.” She always makes me feel good about myself and sends me notes and cards to tell me how proud she is of me. She taught me to wear the best make-up you can afford, wear sunscreen, you can never have enough linens or serving bowls and surround yourself with the things that you love.

What lessons did you learn from your mom?

Happy Mother’s Day,