I just completed The Ultimate Mom, a series of readings by children, mothers, and grandmothers about mom by Maria Bailey. With Mother’s Day soon coming, I thought this would be perfect timing. It was ideal for anyone with a few minutes free who loved to read. 60 respected and published writers sketched their mothers in words. Their stories are timeless and universal.
The Ultimate Mom is quick easy read. Reading it made me think back to how much I wanted to be the perfect mom for my firstborn. Then as I learned the lessons of life, I decided doing my best without second-guessing is what really counted. All the rest is in the hands of God. We do what we must even with hard choices.
There are many different kind of mothers. Their offspring may not always do things the same way as them. So what? Even with differences each of us reflects our parent’s values. I thought some short stories were worth special note.
Teens Take Flight: I identified with Tina Koenig. The metal was reminiscent reminds me of my sons’ own mishaps traveling through airports. Confiscated water pistols, clocks in the suitcase suspected to be bombs, the white powder tasted by security (clothes detergent) caused moments of mayhem, moments of glee.
Thirteen Pounds Fills an Empty Nest: Jean Fogle says it all so nicely. As one door closes, another opens. When are children grow up, it is time to fill our life with new interests. We love our kids just as fiercely when we trod down a new path on our own.
The Valentine Sweetheart: Terri Elders’ story could well have been mine. My mother’s sorrow at the death of loved ones and senility took its toll. In her last clear moments she said, “I love you.” Those words have helped me get through the years without her. We connected at the end.
I recognize good photography, and the photography is just that. Still I think I would have enjoyed more the author’s own personal pictures. Perspective is the key. It would have made mom stand out more and real as life any time, any place–proud, bitter, happy, and even traumatic.
Birth, death, embarrassing moments, sage wisdom, and poignant memories of the all-knowing yet human mom appear on every page. All could alone serve as a good introduction to the bigger picture in life. I kept wishing that more depth and detail would continue each plot line on. I wanted more. Each author told a tale true to life honestly and realistically. I could feel the emotion as love shone out.
Your know-how coupled with information and tidbits from experts like Godwin, Wegscheider-Cruse, Singer, Raykeil, Cobe and Parlapiano, helps us give God credit as we see the bigger picture, pick our battles, be intuitive, and take the break. Parenting is truly a partnership, but each of us must still be ourself too. We are the captain steering spirited children, coping with sibling rivalry, a job. We are responsible for the balance in our family’s lives as well as our own.
A good read, Maria Bailey.
WIN IT!
One winners will receive a copy of the book The Ultimate Mom.
HOW TO ENTER. (MANDATORY)
To enter leave me a comment telling me one way you and your mother (or daughter) are alike.
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Leave an additional comment for each entry you qualify for. You must have completed the first entry according to the instructions to be eligible for any bonus entries.
THE SMALL PRINT.
US addresses only please. This contest will end on Wednesday 05/13/09 at 11:59 pm est. If you’ve entered any of my giveaways before then you know that only comments containing all of the requested information will be eligible for entry. The winner must contact me to confirm they wish to receive the prize within two days of my email notifying them they’ve won. Good luck to everyone!
This giveaway is part of the Ultimate Blog Carnival on LiveGiveaways.Com
on May 8th, 2009 at 10:53 am
I would love to read it as I dont have daughter but tring to get pregnant.
I subscribe and grab ur button.
I entered ur another giveaway.
my twitter name @myproductreview
on May 8th, 2009 at 10:59 am
[...] here and there-the ultimate mom/5/13/09 [...]
on May 8th, 2009 at 11:13 am
Dear Rajee,
It is a simple book full of truths. Well worth a read.
Pat.
on May 8th, 2009 at 6:43 pm
My mom and I both share the same silly sense of humor and a love for NY style pizza.
Thanks for the giveaway!
Kimspam66(at)yahoo(dot)com
on May 8th, 2009 at 11:15 pm
Dear Kim,
I love real NY pizza. Chicago doesn’t even come close.
Pat.
on May 9th, 2009 at 1:04 pm
We share the love of helping people (volunteerism) and souther dessert sweet potato pie as a fave. Thanks for the giveaway
sharr1226 at yahoo dot com
on May 9th, 2009 at 1:32 pm
Dear Sharon,
Who would bellieve that until just a few years ago I wouldn’t let a wee bit of sweet poptatoes pass through my lips? I now love the sweet potatoe fries–homemade, the baked sweet ppotatoes–with brown sugar, and of course the pie–made from scratch preferrably. Yum!
Pat.
on May 9th, 2009 at 2:42 pm
I would love to read this book! My mom and I are alot in our having to have everything planned. My daughter and I have the same quirky personality which can drive a sane person crazy
Thanks for the great giveaway!
on May 9th, 2009 at 2:43 pm
I follow on Twitter…my twitter name is @rachaelcoe
on May 9th, 2009 at 6:51 pm
Dear Rachel,
Glad you stopped by.
Pat.
on May 9th, 2009 at 6:53 pm
Dear Rachel,
The book is a quick read–great for people on the go.
Pat.
on May 10th, 2009 at 12:02 am
[...] Here and There The Ultimate Mom (5/13 US Only) [...]
on May 10th, 2009 at 9:18 pm
we’ll both take in anyone who needs a place to crash.
on May 10th, 2009 at 10:12 pm
Dear Marilyn,
Tis bet to know who you are dealig with.
Pat.
on May 11th, 2009 at 1:57 pm
[...] The Ultimate Mom by Maria Bailey Here and There » The Ultimate Mom, Book Review And Giveaway Wednesday 05/13/09 at 11:59 pm est [...]
on May 12th, 2009 at 10:43 am
My daughter and I are so much alike … from looks to personality to the way we view life.
on May 12th, 2009 at 1:38 pm
Dear Vickie,
My little girl swore she wasn’t going to ever be like me. She grew up and even she says there are a lot of things we share. Thank God, the time came as adults for us to be friends.
Pat.
on May 12th, 2009 at 1:49 pm
My daughter Cait & I are enough alike that without seeing each other in the morning we will come out of our rooms, either with almost the same outfit on or the same colors! She’s 17, so of course its not cool, most times lol
on May 12th, 2009 at 4:12 pm
Dear Cathy,
I remember buying matching outfits from the Penney Catalog when my little girl as about six or seven. I was so proud of her then. And, I still am.
Pat.
on May 12th, 2009 at 8:29 pm
My Mom & I are alike in many ways. We are both very frugal and love garage sales! I even sound like her!
on May 13th, 2009 at 12:48 am
What a great book. I would love to read it. I am like my mom because we are both pretty stubborn but love to help people.
on May 13th, 2009 at 1:16 am
My mom and I both have a Silly Sense of Humor!!! We’re both goofy… Never put us int eh same room together!!
on May 13th, 2009 at 8:37 am
Dear Heather,
I was just in WDW with Goofy. Funny, hsppy id good.
Pat.
on May 13th, 2009 at 8:38 am
Dear Alice,
Are you unreasonable? Probably not and so probably not stubborn–just sure and assertive.
Pat.
on May 13th, 2009 at 8:39 am
Dear Hillary,
My little girl buys things–definitely not a shopper.
Pat.