I would of course be remiss if I failed to also mention my own mother today. From my mother, I inherited my ability to teach, the strength of my passion and dedication, and my musicality (among other things).

I’m sure I haven’t been the perfect son. I’m fairly certain my actions and passages through life have come close to driving her over the edge. I sometimes forget to call her and have even forgotten her birthday on a few occasions. Sometimes we fight with each other—but mostly because we’re very much alike.

But I always know my mother supports me. She worked hard to raise my brother and me even while she was teaching. (And I don’t blame her for skipping me past the fourth grade. She says it’s because I was too smart, but I’m pretty sure it’s really because she couldn’t handle having me as a student for a second year in a row.) I think she did a pretty darn good job of it.

And I always know that she is proud of me and everything I am able to accomplish as a son, a husband, a father, and a worker. Now that she has grandchildren, it’s fair enough that they get all the attention, but I know she speaks well of me and I hope I’ve been able to reflect well on her as a mother.

Happy Mother’s Day, mom.