Happy Mother's Day!

Now that I am a mother I have a completely new appreciation for all mothers, especially mine. I am overwhelmed with all of the sacrifices she has made for me all of these years. So, this year I gave her a book full of childhood memories. I purchased it at a store and it has pages with different topics in it that allowed me to write my feelings, memories and fun times we have shared.

I thought I would share one of the pages.

The heading on one of the pages in the the book read, "My proudest accomplishment was..."

So, I filled the page with:

"My proudest accomplishment was...when I had my own daughter!

Life came full circle for me when Baby Zeina arrived and you were with me every step of the way. Thank you for being in the room with me for her delivery. What a beautiful moment - to share my daughter with my mother!!!

I pray that Little Z and I are as close as we are. You are my best friend and have been my "go to" person my entire life. I have always been able to count on you, and you never made me ask. You have always anticipated my needs - I hope I can do this for Zeina. You are truly the best mother I know of!"

Another mother that inspires daily me is my sister-in-law, Zeina. I am simply in awe at what a great mother she is and how she can juggle so many things at once and make it look so effortless.

I've just realized today, at this very moment, that I've never mentioned how Baby Zeina got her name. She is named after her Auntie Zeina (aka: Aamti, George's sister, Big Z, my sister-in-law)!

It is interesting. George and I wanted a name for our little girl that could be used any where in the world and that reflected her heritage. We wanted a family name and for her to be named after someone that she could look up to and be proud of.

The decision was easy. There was no debate or discussion. We both agreed immediately that our little girl would be called Zeina.

George's sister, Zeina, is the momma of my three beautiful nieces, whom I love with my whole heart, and my sweet daughter carries her name. My sister-in-law has answered numerous questions about babies, patiently and without judgment. She was with me when Baby Zeina came into the world and is a wonderful wife, sister, daughter, mother, aunt, friend and sister-in-law. She is someone Baby Z will be able to turn to and trust and be proud that she is named after.

And, I am proud to call her my friend and family too.

Happy Mother's Day everyone!