from the editor 04.2016
Chelsea Greenwood chelsea@bocaratonobserver.com
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wenty-sixteen marks 10 years since my mother, Sandra, passed away. She was 51. I was 22. I wasn’t sure I wanted to write about Mom here. Even though this is our Women’s Issue – and my first April edition as editor – I didn’t want to depress you or seem like I’m fishing for pity. I didn’t want to go into detail about her death or make this some preachy article about preventive health. (It was heart failure, in case you’re wondering.) So, just like she would have done, I decided to stay positive – and share some of Sandi’s pearls of wisdom. She may have left our world too early, but she taught me plenty of lessons that I still rely on today. 1. Never underestimate the restorative power of a DIY spa night, complete with a facial, a bubble bath and a mani-pedi. 2. The Golden Rule always applies: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. 3. Reading is the cheapest and best form of entertainment. 4. Need an instant confidence boost? Push your shoulders back, and lift your chin up. 5. Just because bad things happen to good people doesn’t mean karma isn’t real. 6. A house isn’t a home without a dog. Treat them like family, and they’ll reward you with endless love and devotion. 7. Sometimes silence says more than words ever could.
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8. Retail therapy can work wonders. (And, if the men don’t agree, just hide the shopping bags.) 9. A hug is even better when it comes with a free back scratch. 10. The success of a get-together is measured by the amount of laughter produced. 11. There’s no excuse for being bored. 12. Not a morning person? Train a loved one to bring you coffee in bed. (Bonus points if they achieve the perfect coffee-to-milk ratio. You’ll know when it’s caramel-colored.) 13. Being a good listener is a gift you give someone else. 14. If you’re lucky, you’ll have a sibling. If you’re extra-lucky, your sibling will be your best friend. 15. Don’t be stingy with the words, “I love you.” Because you might not get another chance to say them to those who matter most. I think about Mom every day, but here’s something I learned on my own over the past decade: While talking about deceased loved ones might be painful or make other people uncomfortable, it’s essential to keep their memories alive. All it takes is a stout heart on one end and a good listener – or reader – on the other. This is how I keep her with me, and I thank you for helping me do so now.
Photo by Carlos Aristizabal
MOTHER KNOWS BEST