This post is written by me on behalf of Hefty®.
I miss my mom. I miss her face. I miss her hugs, her encouragement, the little gifts she’d bring me just because she knew they’d put a smile on my face. I miss the way she managed to keep our family solid and thriving, despite the dysfunction that runs oh so deep. I miss her presence, I miss her voice; the way she’d call me on the phone for no reason other than to say hi, and sound so upbeat and happy- that it was hard not to be infected by her joie de vivre.
I miss her friendship, I miss her endorsements and I miss not having a grandma for my kids to bear hug, to read with, to pass on her memories, her hopes, dreams and love. I just plain miss her, and so I have taken to hoarding all her keepsakes (just ask my husband who has had to live with me covering every wall and nook and cranny of our home with her paintings, flowers and figurines).In other words I have officially become my mother and surrounding myself with her stuff helps me to see a bit of her beauty in even the most mundane ceramic clown.
And while some days I feel as though I could be mired in sadness-the very fact that I am a mother and have kids to raise makes me acutely aware that living in sadness does nothing to celebrate and help my kids find the joy in life as their grandma did! So each day, I hope for the possibility that my mother is fully aware in some other realm or state of being that we are doing everything we can to honor her legacy and that every part of who we are, including my children and all the good we bring to the world, is a result of her.
And on Mother’s Day and every day I try and honor the wisdom she bestowed upon me and keep her traditions alive as I try and pass them down to my kids. Here are just a few!
#1 My mother taught me to speak my mind and never waver in my convictions.
My mother had very strong opinions and throughout our lives she never failed to make them known. She made sure that we found our voices, and that we followed our inner voice and passion. She made sure to raise us in such a way that we had no other choice but to believe in our own divine power and to never allow anyone to make us believe we were anything but pure magic.
#2 My mother taught me the value of organization and schooled me on all the products and tools I would need to manage my life and eventually a family of my own.
The one thing I always remembered her telling us was to never skimp on certain products- she would always use the expression “Don’t be Penny wise pound foolish.” And when it came to the big and small purchases in our lives growing up that phrase was often uttered- especially when I would shop with her for household necessities like—GARBAGE BAGS! We grew up only using Hefty®ones- because as my mother would remind us “there is nothing worse than taking out the trash and having it rip and all that muck spilling about” ( something that in all my years on this planet has NEVER happened when I use Hefty®!). And I love the fact that having Hefty® in my kitchen is not only a reminder of her each and every day but that as a brand Hefty® celebrates strong moms, who tackle strong messes on a daily basis!
The truth is, just like Hefty® Ultra Strong™trash bags, today’s moms are Ultra Strong in everything they do and Hefty® is helping to celebrate strong moms- who know best- in honor of Mother’s Day by teaming up with John Cena and his mom Carol Cena – check it out here.
Like my mom I am proud l to be a Hefty® mom—Hefty® moms like me know a thing or two about ultra-strength and ultra-savings and we know best, especially when it comes to spending wisely and making smart decisions for our families.
Hefty® Ultra Strong™ trash bagsoffer “Hefty Hefty Hefty” strength at a low price.
Hefty® Ultra Strong™ trash bags resist tears, punctures and leaks with Triple Action Technology, and resist smells with ARM & HAMMER™ patented odor neutralizer. The break-resistant grip drawstring prevents the bag from falling inside the can, and a 100 percent money-back guarantee means you’ll always be satisfied or your money back
I know my mother is smiling down on me as I take out the trash every Thursday in her approved Hefty® trash bags!
#3 And last but certainly not least, my mother taught me to cherish and marinate in the seemingly little moments. My mother celebrated every minor and major life event- she made every get together into a great big party. And when I say a party I don’t mean that she had it catered with great big centerpieces and a marching brass band. Rather she brought the sense of celebration and the spirit of being joyful to every event so that we remembered to celebrate life’s seemingly ordinary moments- so that each day with her felt like a milestone and a victory.
So tell me- are you and/or your Mom an #UltraStrongMom?
This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Hefty®.
I do my best to be an ultra strong mom for my kids every day. I want them to grow up knowing how to be strong, kind, giving, and overall good people.
I always try to find ways to honor my mom. She and I are pretty close and I love spending time with her. We live pretty far from each other, but when we get together we have a lot of fun!
My mom is Ultra Strong too! She had to be both the mom and dad when my dad died unexpectedly at 51 almost 4 years ago…so sad!
Love the brand of garbage bags best. There are 8 of use and we go through a lot of garbage! These always hold up nicely.
She sounds like an amazing woman. I am so sorry you lost her so early. However, I can tell you got so much amazing advice from her.
What a sweet story! You are definitely blessed to have such an amazing mom. I’m sure she passed on a lot of her amazing parenting to you, too, with your own kids!
Your mom was quite an inspiration to you. Knowing you personally, I also want to add that she raised an amazing daughter who has turned out to be just as awesome as a mom to your own kids.
I absolutely love this. You can definitely tell she has deep wisdom and is ultra-strong. She is an inspiration and you are pretty awesome too. Just by seeing what you believe in and stand up for online, I can tell she has rubbed off on you.
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We use these trash bags as well good brand. Miss my mom everyday but I know she is listening and watching over all of us.
I can relate to this on so many levels. My mother passed away almost 10 years ago. Mother’s day is actually a hard holiday for me because of this. Thank you for sharing everything your mom taught you. It reminds me so much of what my own mother taught me.
This is so sweet! I have an Ultra Strong Mom. She was an officer in the military and sadly faced lots of harassment, but she always kept going and retired as a Colonel.
I love these trash bags! They work well and smell amazing.
I love everything about this heartfelt tribute to your beautiful mama! And that picture of you two on your wedding day? So gorgeous! I try to be an ultra strong mom every single day so that my kiddos have a good role model to look up to!
Your Mom sounds like she was an amazing Woman. I think it is important for our kids to have a strong positive female role model.
It is awesome to find ways to honour your Mum and all they do for us over the years.
I most definitely need some stronger bin bags in my life as well, so I will have to check these out!
It sounds like your mother was extraordinary. I love that you are honoring her this Mother’s Day.
Even though my mom and grandmothers are no longer living, I still try to honor them and their accomplishments. I love that you are honoring your mom this Mother’s Day.
I hope that one day my children will feel the same about me. Moms truly are Hefty Strong!
My grandmother taught me the same thing: speak my mind. And I do, for better or worse LOL
Your mom sounds like she was an amazing person. My mother plays such an important role in my and my girls\’ lives.
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I miss my mom too. It’s been almost 10 years since she passed. She was always there for me when I needed her.
This is such a sweet ode to your mother. I miss my mom too. She passed away back in 2002 from cancer.
Your mother is a strong woman and she did a great job raising you! She looks so much like you as well. This post also made me miss my mom. It’s always bittersweet during Mother’s Day.
It sounds like your Mom was an amazing woman!! I lost my Mom 17 years ago so I totally get it.
Mothers are simply the best and you can never replace them. They provide an incredible amount of love and support that make you want to do so much better! This was an awesome dedication to your mom.
Love this brand! Also loved reading your post! So important to honor our moms or love and strength!
What a sweet tribute to your mom! I’m sure she is so happy wherever she is right now knowing how strong and awesome you turned out to be.
What a nice way to honour your mom!so very sweet! hefty is a fantastic brand one we can for sure get behind!
This is such a great campaign! I love seeing everyone honor their Mom.
Strong moms actually make the world go around. The world needs more moms like you!
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Really mothers are all such angels and play such a major role in shaping us. They are always giving and expect nothing in return. Your mom was indeed an inspiration to you and everyone else she touched.
I really love your story and its great that you had an amazing mom, my mom was so strong too even she’s a single mom.
What a beautiful dedication to your mother! Her legacy of being an Ultra-Strong Mom definitely lives through your words and actions. Thank you for sharing her with us. Hugs to you on this special day!