Her Excellence, My Mom.
I started this blog to celebrate women and their kindness to one another. What better person to photograph and talk to than my Mom? She's always been in my corner no matter how different my life choices were from her own. She's always loved and respected me for who I was and supported my decisions. She would also call me on my bs if necessary, but in a kind, motherly way. If you have a giving, selfless Mother like that, you grow a soft spot for people no matter how thick your armor is. I am a fighter, it's not easy to break me, but I do care a lot about the people that I value. I think this is the best gift I received from my Mom.
My parents split up when I was a child. Even though my Dad was always around, it became my Mom's responsibility to deal with day-to-day issues. She always made sure my brother and I didn't miss on anything and created a loving home for us. She's always put our happiness and comfort first, even when we were actively trying to push her onto a dating market again. 'Twas a hopeless case.. Lol. As of recent, my Mom turned sixty and finally retired after over four decades of working hard and diligently. She finally has time and space to relax, be with her loved ones, and travel. We try to spoil her as much as we can nowadays, my brother and I. She deserves it! Also, her single days are long gone.
This year, I had a great pleasure of spending the Mother's Day with my Mom. It's a rare opportunity these days cuz we live on different continents. In May, we went on a weekend girls trip to Philly where we had lots of good food and wine, climbed the Rocky stairs, and took shots for this blog. Also, we had a woman to woman conversation over wine and I asked my Mom a few questions about femininity.
AsW: When was your proudest moment?
ELA: Oh! What a tough question.. I think, my whole life I've been saying, my kids are what I've succeeded at the most. The time when I really felt proud of myself was when my kids started achieving in life.
AsW: What do you think women have in common across cultures, religions, different life choices?
ELA: I think what becomes more and more common these days is that women start holding professions that were assigned to men in the past. They have careers, but at the same time, they have kids, they travel, they grow. What I like is that women are more opinionated and independent nowadays.
AsW: What do you appreciate other women for the most? Can you give an example of a woman who embodies some of those traits?
ELA: What I appreciate other women for these days is that they kick ass. They fought their way to occupations that used to be reserved for men only. It's amazing to me how they can build their position in the man's world. Not only that, many times they even do a better job. One of the women who represent that is my former colleague and one of my best friends, Ania. Years ago, she felt insecure, wasn't aware of her own potential. I kept telling her she should never believe anyone who says she cannot do something or she cannot achieve more. Then she proved herself what she was capable of. Currently, she holds a manager position and is doing great!
PS.
Dear Mom,
Thank you so much for your involvement in this blog and all the support you give me every day. I am very happy to have had the opportunity to shoot with you. I am also very grateful to you for making your world-famous pierogi for my friends in New York. It's always a treat! I will see you soon, hopefully, not only on my phone screen.
With love,
Anja
