My mom and me, circa 2009. New York.

My mom with my daughter Katie on her wedding day, last July 2013.

This is my mother’s mother, Margaret, on her wedding day. Circa 1934. With my grandfather, John Patrick. (Margaret is the one I most look like in the family, so they say.)

This is my paternal grandmother, Henrietta. “Henri” for short. In the days before her wedding in the 1920’s.

Circa 1966-67. These are my sisters. Peg in the blue. Me in the daisy dress, and Pam the little one. Both my sisters are great moms too! They each have four children!

Can’t forget an image of Momma Mary — this is the one from our home church in MA. Beautiful hand painted statue.

A throwback to 1994, with a recent remake… “These Are The Women I Come From”

lyrics: by Bonnie Keen and Tori Taff

These are the faces in photographs

Heads all held high

Not afraid to look life in the eye

They are women with backbone

Keepers of the flame

With a spirit even hard times couldn’t tame

These are the women I come from

The faith that sustained them is bred in my bones

I know what I’m made of and where I belong

‘Cause these are the women I come from

They were lovers of babies and lovers of God

With lessons and laughter in their songs

Did they dream better dreams for their children?

As they prayed silent prayers in the night

“Lord, make their way clear and always be near”

Purchase that music here.