<strong><em>Biology is the least of what makes someone a mother.</em></strong> ~Oprah Winfrey

Today is Mother's Day. I'm swinging on the porch swing thinking I totally agree with Oprah's quote. I've some motherly women in my life. Sad to say, most of whom are no longer with me and only one I called <em>Mother</em>.

First, the little four foot six inch Irish immigrant Oma Julia. <em>Oma</em> because she married into a strong German family who settled in Texas. She began the lineage.
<a href="http://judythewriter.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/oma-mothers-day-2012-001.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-558" title="Oma Mother's day 2012 001" src="http://judythewriter.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/oma-mothers-day-2012-001.jpg?w=210" alt="" width="210" height="300" /></a>

Next there's her daughter Helen, the one who birthed me:
<a href="http://judythewriter.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/helen-and-us-2012-mothers-day-blog-002.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-552" title="Helen and us 2012 Mother's Day blog 002" src="http://judythewriter.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/helen-and-us-2012-mothers-day-blog-002.jpg?w=234" alt="" width="234" height="300" /></a>
Apologies to my brother born over a decade after this picture was made. I couldn't find a picture of all four of us with Mother, which made me sad. (Note to self--take more pictures.)

Then there's Rose, the Mom-in-love I inherited when I married. What a jewel she was!
<a href="http://judythewriter.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/rose-hixson-mothers-day-2012-002.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-562" title="Rose Hixson Mother's Day 2012 002" src="http://judythewriter.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/rose-hixson-mothers-day-2012-002.jpg?w=245" alt="" width="245" height="300" /></a>
She raised one fine son and for that I am eternally grateful.

And last, but never least, my Aunt Bick, the one who always says, "The stork just left you at the wrong house."
<a href="http://judythewriter.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/bj-me-mothers-day-2012-001.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-563" title="BJ-me Mother's day 2012 001" src="http://judythewriter.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/bj-me-mothers-day-2012-001.jpg?w=300" alt="" width="300" height="200" /></a> We've had some real adventures through the years. I love when you remember and we can relive those moments. 

Can't end a Mother's Day blog without special thanks to these three who ushered me into enter the ranks of motherhood.
<a href="http://judythewriter.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/3kids.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-567" title="3kids" src="http://judythewriter.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/3kids.jpg?w=300" alt="" width="300" height="212" /></a>
And all of theirs who crowned me grandmother.
<em></em><a href="http://judythewriter.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/g-kids-christmas-2011.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-568" title="g-kids christmas 2011" src="http://judythewriter.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/g-kids-christmas-2011.jpg?w=300" alt="" width="300" height="224" /></a>

Happy Mothers Day to them all and all of you. Hope everyone is having a <em>fantabulous</em> day.