Life Lens: A Tribute to MOM

I thought the perfect place to start this new blog (aside from the introduction) is to focus on my Family Life Lens as a Daughter. 
My mother's 80th birthday was a Momentous Occasion with which I celebrated with great JOY and Delight! 
I had a great time celebrating at her surprise birthday party hosted by my sister and her family. Loved seeing the surprise on Mom's face and how happy she was to see me. :) 

I also enjoyed some time with her with my grandson at my side on her special day. We talked about all sorts of things. But the highlight for me was sharing a surprise with her: I wrote her a song called Gentle Hands*, composed it for the piano and then I played and sang it for her on her special day. That was the one thing I greatly anticipated and she loved it. 

Time always goes by so speedily when we are with those we love. And I so appreciate those minutes/hours with my Mom, Erma Bel-Tempo, because life is fleeting at best, and there is no guarantee of tomorrow. 

So, here's to you, my dear MOM.

(The following is a tribute I posted on Facebook that I would like to share here. It really showcases the many facets of Mom in this life and how she has "Given it All.") 

This day marks a momentous occasion that I am celebrating! My dear mother Erma Bel-Tempo is turning the big 8-0 today!
Yes, eight decades of living as wife to Daniel Bel-Tempo, mom to me and my sister Denise, as well as grandma to my two daughters and my sister’s two daughters and great grandma to my grandson!!
She has always been the hostess with the mostess, homemaker extraordinaire with a very strong creative bend making the house decorated for every occasion imaginable for years and years and years!
She was always there after school for conversation and had mending hands not just with a needle and thread (and her trusty sewing machine!) but also when needing assistance when ill or struggling with some thing or another!
Mom has been a faithful wife to my dad for 60 years and still has quick wit and loves watching animal shows that warm her heart and make her laugh. The owl is her mascot!
She’s taken care of four different cats in her lifetime all of which were named Puffy.
Mom, you are an extraordinary woman with a true heart!!
May God bless you with joy, peace, strength, calm, healing, resilience and comfort in your golden years!!
We love you from the bottom of our hearts!!
Happy happy 80th birthday!!

And that's The Way I See It. And It's beautiful. 

P.S. Below you will find a video where I share the song I wrote, Gentle Hands, and play it on the piano. Also, below are the *lyrics to the song (Copyright 2022 by Dawn Herring). 

Gentle Hands 
by Dawn Herring

Gentle hands that mend
Always to attend 
Ready and prepared 
From the start


Listen to the heart 
It’s where you always start
Moving on impulse
To love 


You reach out
Without a doubt
To connect 
Heart to heart


May you receive 
All that you give
Leaving to recall 
How you gave it all