My mother has always put my happiness before everything. That’s what truly gorgeous Mothers do: She is intrinsically kind, funny, generous, self-deprecating, and passionate about SO many things. No words are needed to convey how we feel toward each other. We just know. I think we’re telepathic – even living six thousand miles apart, we have the same thoughts and ideas on the same days. My Mother encouraged me to travel and live in a country that takes a 12-hour plane ride to get to from her house because – because ultimately she puts my happiness before hers. On that day that I told her I was going to LA (and she knew deep down that I’d likely end up living there), she sucked up her tears, her pain, her loss and put a giant smile on her face, telling me that I should go and follow my dreams. That’s how GORGEOUS my Mother truly is. And I only hope that I can be one millimeter as good a Mom as she has always been, to my daughter Lola. I am very blessed.
Since it’s almost Mother’s Day, I asked a small handful of women who I feel are absolutely beautiful inside and out, to send me a photograph of themselves with their mother/mentor/muse, and share why they think she is truly GORGEOUS. It’s all about honoring the women who mean so much to us.
Here are my favorite responses:
Chloe Jo Davis
Founder/ Editor GirlieGirl Army: Your Glamazon Guide to Green & Cruelty-Free Living
“My Mother Nicole has always been aesthetically exquisite – but what I find most beautiful about her is her ability to think everyone else is a beautiful megastar. She sees the beauty in absolutely everyone – if you’re a decent cook, you’re the ultimate gourmet chef – if you fix her hair, you should be a star stylist – if you have the answer to her crossword puzzle, you’re an absolute genius! Although this can (and has) created a few delusional folks along her way, it’s a lovely quality to be able to see the good in everyone. ”
Television Host, best-selling author, beauty/fashion and lifestyle expert on Ellen and Hallmark’s Home & Family show
“My mother is truly gorgeous because of the confidence she instilled in me. As a little girl born in the early 60’s she always told me that I could achieve ANYTHING I wanted to. Barbara Bankier, was a girl born in a tiny town in SCOTLAND whose father died when she was just 3 years old she didn’t have a lot of options as a woman but she was determined to instill in her only child, a sense of doing anything I wanted to do! I remember telling her as we sat in our small home in Detroit, Michigan that I wanted to be a television news reporter when I was just 12 years old. She turned to me without hesitation looked me in the eyes and said…”well then you WILL”.That is why my mom is gorgeous indeed.”
Chef, New York Times best-selling author, Host of Hallmark’s Home & Family TV show.
“My momma is my hero. She taught me everything about the importance of honoring God, having a strong family unit, unconditional love, loyalty, compassion and kindness. You can see all those qualities in her beautiful face. I love her so much! Happy Mother’s Day to all our beautiful mothers! ”
Anna Griffin
Publisher and editor-in-chief of Coco Eco Mag
“My Mom and sister are incredible women. Blessed to call them my family, they inspire me daily with their devotion to their children, their unconditional love, constant support, patience, guidance, and brilliant wisdom. They are my best friends and role models, and I am grateful for our unbreakable bond which will forever shape my life.”
Jolene Hart
Jolene Hart, CHC, AADP. Freelance Writer and Author, Eat Pretty Certified Beauty & Health Coach
“I’ve always seen so much beauty in my mom’s unfailing generosity. Even when the budget was tight in our family of six, she found a way to give to others as if we only knew abundance— never showing up empty-handed, never failing to make or do or contribute anywhere that it was needed, giving to others before she would ever save anything for herself— without a moment of hesitation. Her generosity made such an impact on me, teaching me to think first of what I could do for others, and showing me that there will always be enough for us all if we can only remember to be so giving to one another. That is so beautiful to me.”
Whitney Lauritsen
Eco Vegan Blogger, and founder of the brilliant Eco Vegan Gal
“What makes my mother Joy truly gorgeous is her passion for leading the best life possible – she is always striving to be the best she can be. She lives up to her name because she is full of joy and has a great sense of humor. My mother taught me to be the passionate, purpose-driven, happy woman that I am today.”
(I am second to the left in the white dress!)
Tess Masters
Author of best-selling Blender Girl
“My mum is one of my best friends and a truly gorgeous woman. She is open, honest, kind, generous, smart, strong, authentic, energetic, passionate, adventurous, thirsty for learning and new experiences, and has an amazing sense of humor, play and fun. She is the voice in my head, and always makes me laugh.”
Maranda Pleasant
Foundereditor in chief Origin magazine, Mantra yoga and health magazine, thrive magazine and real teen mag
“It may sound a bit unusual, but my daughter has been my mother figure. We have raised one another. Me Growing up without a mother and without family, we were everything to one another. I traveled the world as a conflict journalist and she spent her childhood sleeping on dirt floors and in Third World countries while I documented atrocities. We took care of one another. She grounded me, offered me unconditional love, and believed that I could make everything okay, no matter how hard the circumstances. Her light, and her spirit has made all the difference in my life.”
Wow – this is one of my favorite blog posts of the year!
Don’t forget to pick up your copy of Gorgeous For Good: A Simple 30-day Program To Lasting Beauty Inside & Out.
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