Muscato's Musings

Happy Mother's Day, Mom!!

I'm Sending You Love and Thanks!!

  "Everything I am, or hope to be, I owe to my angel mother." ABRAHAM LINCOLN  My mother played sort of the backup and supportive role in our family, across many different areas of our lives.  My dad was a public figure, and he was distinguished in his field, and he was a character, and commanded a good deal of attention. Many people don’t know that my mother was highly influential in our family; she was a strong influence on my father, and on her children. My mom is 83 years old, and lives in a nice retirement community, about a mile and half from my sister and her husband and three kids, in the town of Evanston, IL, a suburb of Chicago. Mom stays active, although physically she has slowed a bit.  It is nice that my sis and her family are…

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Ross A. Muscato

12:39 am on Monday, May 14, 2012

Thanks so much, Bob, for your kind comments.   more ›

Mother Knows Best

Take Time to Treat Yourself

The importance for all moms to recharge their batteries and take some time to relax.

By and large, mothers are the only workers who do not have regular time off.  They are the great vacationless class. --- Anne Morrow Lindbergh, Gift From The Sea To say that I want to echo Lindbergh’s words would be an understatement.  When we take the time to consider just how much some mothers give to others instead of themselves, we must ask ourselves, “how they do it?”  Personally, I feel drained on a daily basis and admittedly have my son nap so I “have” to lie down beside him on the couch. A dear friend often parallels people to water pitchers; we all must ensure our pitcher is full before giving anyone else a drink.  This analogy provides insight as to how mothers can tirelessly provide for others. They must replenish their pitcher …

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Mother's Day Reflections

A Look Back at Mother's Day Memories

Since the day I was born, every few years I have shared my birthday with a much bigger and way more important holiday. In 1960, my mom went in the labor Saturday, May 7, and I was welcomed into the world on Sunday, May 8, at Brockton Hospital. That Sunday just happened to be a holiday, so I was one of the hospital’s Mother’s Day babies. While I recovered from my journey into the world, my mom spent the holiday recovering and accepting congratulations on the birth of a baby boy. That must have been neat. But, when I was little, it wasn’t cool to have my birthday on Mother’s Day. Even if my birthday fell during the week, it was usually moved to Sunday when my father and friends could get together. In 1970, I even shared my birthday, the 10th…

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Mother Knows Best

Let the Kids In On the Action with Child-Made Mother’s Day Gifts

If you're scrambling for a gift, here are some easy ideas.

Ahhh, the weekend is here! While the weather may be beautiful outside, I am going to take a leap and say that many dads are indoors scrambling with the kids to make cards and gifts for mom.  Well, for anyone who is looking for some child-directed gifts for the moms and grandmas out there, look no further.  Here are some very easy AND meaningful gifts for the kids to create:  Handy Bouquet (adapted from Hand-Shaped Art by Diane Bonica) Red, pink, yellow or purple paint 1 piece each of blue & green construction paper Crayons or Markers Glue or glue stick 8x10 frame (optional) For multiple children-be sure to create a flower for everyone by pressing the hands at different heights, you should be able to fit four. For infants-use both foot and …

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