When I was a little girl, I drove my parents and brother crazy with one question: “Knock Knock?” They would respond enthusiastically “Who’s There?” the first time, but their patience quickly waned after I continued to badger them 20 more times. Each time, I’d come up with a slightly different (yet stupid) answer. For some reason, they rarely got my humor.
Now pretend this is not a game. If you asked me “Knock Knock?” and I answered with the question “Who’s There?” how would you reply? Let me pose the question differently: Who is really in there? How do you see yourself? Do you know who you are on the inside?
We spend an ENORMOUS amount of time taking care of our outer appearance (I call this our external beauty). We are constantly buying new products and getting “services” to enhance our external beauty. We get facials, color our hair, buy make-up and get pedicures. And don’t forget the creams! Hand cream, foot cream, eye cream, body cream, and face cream. How do we possibly keep track of it all?
If you add up all the time you spend taking care of your external self, how would that compare to the time you spend on your internal self? What are you doing to improve what really matters…your internal beauty?
What Makes a Woman Beautiful?
We’ve all met beautiful women. Sometimes women are fortunate be blessed with physical beauty. But to be truly beautiful, you have to be beautiful on the inside. We’ve all known women we call beautiful—not because of their facial structure or their figure. They are beautiful because they exude confidence, contentment and beauty from within. They accept themselves and LOVE themselves (yes, I said LOVE). They are not constantly criticizing themselves or others. They are beautiful.
My mom is the most beautiful woman I know. She wouldn’t fall into the Beauty Queen category but she is beautiful to me. She is short and has always carried extra weight around her middle—a true apple. She is missing her left breast which is “no big deal” as she puts it since she survived her battle with cancer. She’s never been one to look in the mirror to primp, let alone put moisturizer on.
Yet, she is beautiful.
Everyone who knows “Mama” will agree with me. She is funny and sweet (but not sticky sweet). She ornery as hell, makes jokes when she shouldn’t, and never takes herself too seriously. She is also the first person to offer to help others in need. Always. She loves to laugh and play games. She’s a great cook and enjoys making wonderful meals for friends and family. She has the biggest heart of anyone I know—I am the luckiest daughter in the world.
The day after mom’s mastectomy, she told me she wanted to make a Key Lime Pie. I told her I’d run to the store to get everything for the pie but she insisted on going with me. Twelve hours after I got her home from the hospital, we were walking around Fresh Market buying key limes. The following day, she wanted to go out for dinner so my brother Scott and his wife Tania took us out to Fresco’s. This picture is Mama 2 days after her surgery! Unbelievable? No, that’s just Mama. We should all take lessons from her.
So, my questions to you are these:
- What are you doing to improve your internal beauty?
- How do you want to be remembered? As a person who’s just beautiful on the outside or a person who’s beautiful on the inside?
- Who is the most beautiful woman you know?
The one great opportunity we have to become more beautiful as we grow older is to become more beautiful on the inside.
Happy Mother’s Day to all you fantastic moms and to all of us who have (or sadly had) beautiful moms. Please share your comments with us. We are anxious to hear your stories.
Smile and Be Beautiful,
Molly
That’s a really beautiful tribute to your mom, Molly! She sounds like someone I would like!
Very nicely put Molly. I have had the pleasure of working with your Mom for awhile now and she is certainly an amazing and beautiful woman. I can always count on her to bring a smile to my face. You indeed are very lucky to have her as a Mom. We at the office are also very fortunate to have her in our lives.
I know your mom and she is truly a beautiful person inside and out. She always makes me smile and has made me laugh until I cried. You both are so blessed to have each other.
However, I have to say my mom is the most beautiful woman I know. Of course I am biased. She is the glue that has kept our family together through some of the most devasting times and the one who has encouraged me to follow my dreams no matter the age. I love her deeply.
You are the most beautiful woman I know. And that’s the truth.
I count myself lucky having your mom as a friend and I totally agree with you. She is beautiful – inside and out! Happy Mother’s Day Linda!!
Molly, what a wonderful thing to say. I have had the previliege of knowing your mom for a great many years. You are truly blessed. I love her and cherish her friendship, even if sometimes she is a pain in the ASS, justing kidding.
Love to both of you.
Well, Lynn, if you think she’s only sometimes a pain in the ass, you should be married to her son and have her as a mother-in-law 🙂 (you’re supposed to be laughing, I hope)
I love you Linda!
With her easy smile and her infectious laugh, mama is someone we should all aspire to be more like – though you may want to avoid playing cards with her…
loved your mama story and pictures…i, too, love your mama! xox kirsten
I have enjoyed reading your articles- but of course we love the one about Mama.. What a nice tribute and of course how nice to publish it this month in honor of Mother’s Day. Love, Kathy and Uncle Jack
What a wonderful tribute to a fantastic Mom just before Mother’s Day! Since I know your Mom, I can attest to all you said about her (and could add more, but I won’t get sappy). You are a neat daughter and your Mom is everything and more than what you said. Again, what a wonderful tribute on Mother Day weekend.
Yet another confirmation from someone who knows your Mom and that she is a truly beautiful person. And I know she is so proud to be your mother!
You know we all take on traits of our parents, some we embrace and others not so much. Here is an opportunity Molly for you to see what you are as you walk in the shoes of Mama………
Happy Mother’s Day to your Mom and all Moms for their unconditional love. Moms are a blessing. My Mom is beautiful inside, outside and in the middle! To improve my “inner” beauty, I remember what Mom used to always tell me: “Believe in youself and always strive for your best in everything you do.”
Happy Mother’s Day to your Mom and all Moms for their unconditional love. YOur mom IS beautiful. Moms are a blessing. My Mom is beautiful inside, outside and in the middle! To improve my “inner” beauty, I remember what Mom used to always tell me: “Believe in youself and always strive for your best in everything you do.” Thanks for sharing Molly!
Thank you for a fine tribute to your mom! Her beauty is definitely shining on in you! That is some great heredity!
Frankie, I loved your post!! Molly, loved this piece on your mom and the lessons we can all learn from her. I know she is proud of you- guess we can thank her for that wicked sense of humor you have. Give “mama” my best and tell her to keep on shining!
I have known your mother for a long time. Although time and miles are in between, I am blessed to know her. She was always making sure we had fun, even at 4am in the morning. Happy Mothers Day to her and all the beautiful mothers, inside and out!!!
Yes Linda is “something else”. She could however be a bit more gracious when someone goes out of their way to stop by unannounced. 🙂 If she wasn’t such a big kid herself I would have her as my American Mum! I am grateful to have the both of you in my life!
Thank you for a fine tribute to your mom! Her beauty is definitely shining on in you! That is some great heredity!