Mothers Day will be next Sunday and it’s the day we honor our mothers for their love, nurturing and the sacrifices they make to help us have a happy, healthy and successful life. Mothers of the college-bound go above and beyond by providing their kids with encouragement, help and financial support throughout the college admissions process. Those moms need some tender love and care once their kids head off to college. Mothers Day is the perfect time to pamper those empty nest moms.
It’s all about redecorating
You may not want this to happen, but your college departure ushers in the possibility of redecorating your room. As a sign that you embrace this change, get your Mom a book on interior design or home renovation. Encourage her to turn that room into a reading retreat, an exercise room, or a home office, encouraging her to start that business she has put on hold for the last 18 years.
Rekindling the romance
Let’s face it–kids put a damper on romance. Now is the perfect time to help your parental units rekindle the romance by encouraging them to spend some time together. Send them on a weekend getaway, pay for a date night (dinner and the movies), or offer to babysit your younger siblings while they spend some time alone.
Sporting her proudness
There is nothing prouder than a mom of a college student. One of the best gifts you can give her is a shirt with your college logo on it. When my daughter was in college, I had a sweatshirt that said, “Bentley College Mom”. I wore it with great pride. Use Mothers Day to give her that special gift and show her you recognize her part in your success.
Get her up to speed with technology
It goes without saying that your mom will miss you when you are off living the college life. You can lessen that feeling of loneliness and loss by getting her up to speed with technology. Phones that share pictures, are text enabled and allow you to download apps like Facebook and Twitter can help her stay in touch. If she is not yet computer savvy, give a gift of your time and help her learn how to use those applications like Skype that will keep her connected while you are gone.
Help her with the transition
It’s going to be a difficult transition for her. Consider giving her a book that will help her understand her feelings. You can also show her how to connect with other parents who have college students by helping her find college parent sites. There are numerous blogs and forums available where parents can post questions and share their experiences.
Relaxing and rejuvenating
What mom wouldn’t like a time to relax and rejuvenate? She’s worked hard, often giving up “me” time to concentrate on parenting and helping you achieve your educational goals.
Going back to college
Many moms have put aside college to raise a family. Now that you are headed off to school, your mom might start thinking about going back to college. If that’s ever been discussed, look for some books on the subject that will help her make that decision.
Time for an adventure
Do you wonder if your mom has ever wanted to take a balloon ride or parachute from a plane? Has she ever expressed an interest in learning to ride a motorcycle or hike the Appalachian trail? If so, you can encourage her dreams on Mothers Day. Make her a “dream” board to get her started with the dream process.
College is an adventure for you, but can also be an adventure for your mom. Make Mothers Day special this year by letting her know how much you appreciate her contribution to your future and the sacrifices she made along the way.
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Hollywood legend Elizabeth Taylor died today in Los Angeles. She was admitted six weeks ago to Cedars Sinai Medical Center for a heart condition. Today she died of congestive heart failure. Elizabeth Taylor was 79 years old.
Her parents were from Kansas but she was born In England during the year 1929. Her parents were living there while her father worked as an art dealer. The family fled back to American during the beginning of World War II. They settled in Los Angeles, staying with her maternal grandparents. A family friend knew an executive at Universal Studios and it was suggested that she meet with him. She was immediately signed to Universal but her association with them was short lived. Universal did not want to continue her contract because she could not sing or dance. However, Metro Goldwyn Mayer (MGM) immediately signed her based on her unusual beauty and what they saw in her acting abilities.
She starred in her first blockbuster film at the age of 12. National Velvet is still remembered as an outstanding classic. It was not just the catalyst for Taylor’s career, it also starred newcomers Angela Lansbury and Roddy McDowell. She soon became famous not only for her looks, but for her ability to shoot a scene in one take.
Her reputation as an excellent actress continued into her adult hood with 3 Academy Awards nominations in a row. Taylor said that she would like most to be remembered for her role in Who’s Afraid of Virginia Wolf , but it was her role in Cleopatra that made her the highest paid actress in Hollywood.
Elizabeth Taylor spent the 1980′s doing television and Broadway musicals. She took a part as Wilma Flintstone’s mother in The Flintstones, played herself in The Simpsons, and starred on General Hospital. Her theatrical performances include The Little Foxes and Private Lives.
Controversy followed her for most of her life and she seemed to welcome it. She was an strong supporter of Michael Jackson during his molestation trials. She spoke out against smoking after having smoked for years (saying it contributed to her heart condition). She founded the Elizabeth Taylor Aids Foundation. She was married a total of 8 times. Her husbands included some of the most prominent names in Hollywood: John Warner, Richard Burton, and Eddie Fisher.
Taylor Anderson died doing what she loved most–teaching. The Richmond, Virginia native is the first confirmed American to have died in the Japan Earthquake and Tsunami. Anderson went to Japan because she loved the culture. She also loved children. So it was only natural for her to became a teacher in Japan. She was last seen just prior to the tsunami; leaving the school where she taught. She stayed longer than she should have in order to make sure all of her students were safe.Anderson’s family and friends say that she was a strong woman, confident and curious. It was this curiosity combined with her confidence that empowered her to take a teaching position in Japan. Others remember her as being religious, down to earth and easy going. She loved English and literature and excelled in these subjects in high school.
She graduated from Randolph Macon College in 2008. Shortly afterward, she was accepted into the Japanese Exchange Teaching Program. She taught English in eight different elementary schools in Ishinomaki, a coastal town about 240 miles from Tokyo. On her days off, she took excursions around the country, taking in the scenery, culture and (most of all) getting to know the people. She had many friends in Japan who are stunned at the news of her death. She planned to return to her home in Virginia after the school year ended in August.
Two other American teachers were found safe but Taylor Anderson remained missing for ten days. Her friends and family, both in the US and in Japan, posted pictures on facebook and other social networking sites in hopes of finding the missing woman. Today, the family was notified by officials that her body had been found. The family are currently traveling to Japan to make arrangements.
Meanwhile, students at Randolph Macon College are placing memorial ribbons around campus. They plan on having a memorial service when school resumes after spring break. Officials from the U.S. State Department said that they have no real way of knowing exactly how many Americans may be missing in Japan because US citizens are not required to notify any Federal agency before traveling out of the country. ]]>