My mom and the best article anyone could ever hope for…

They say we are a sum of all of our past experiences. I agree but I also believe we are a cumulative sum of the people we spend the most time with.

My beautiful mom is a former English teacher. She taught for many years and found teaching to be very rewarding and meaningful.

We are all who we are today because of experiences/events that have happened to us in the past. The following has had a big impact on my life.

Here it goes.

I remember in 5th grade my mom getting a phone call from one of her former students while we were sitting at the kitchen table eating dinner.

I heard my mom say, “It’s so great to hear from you, etc., etc.,” and then all of the sudden she screamed, “Terry!!! Yessss! I remember exactly who you are! How are youuu???”

45 minutes later my mom came back to the table smiling ear to ear saying you won’t believe who just called me.

It was a former student, who at the time, was one of the writers for the Cosby Murder Series. He said he was having a conversation with someone about how he got into writing and the person asked who inspired him to pursue his passion.

He thought about it and told the person it was my mother.

The person insisted he get in touch with my mother and thank her.

Most people would stop there. But Terry actually called his old high school and managed to get our phone number. (You just read about that above.)

Since that phone call my mom and Terry have developed a real friendship.

Terry has made my mom’s life complete. Every time we talk about Terry (and he certainly gives us a lot to talk about) she’s smiling ear to ear.

Terry went out of his way to thank my mom for inspiring him to pursue his passion.

There are few things more rewarding in life than helping other people realize their dreams.

Some of the amazing things Terry has done for my mom (and me) are:

-In 5th grade he called my mom and told us to watch a certain episode of the Cosby Murder show. Well, Lainey Gilbert was a main character in that episode.

-My mom retired a few years ago and Terry not only attended her retirement party but gave one of the most heartfelt and sincere speeches ANYONE could EVER hope for.

-Terry was one of the executive producers and writers for a little show called the Sopranos and invited us all to visit the set. (Click here to check that visit out.)

And now this article! (According to Terry, my mom is the one who inspired him to relentlessly go after his dreams

Update: Terry doesn’t stop. He is the series creator of Boardwalk Empire on HBO. We were invited to the set of this amazing show as well. The set is absolutely incredible! (One of these days, I’ll post the pictures.)

Update #2: NY Daily News. Terry mentions my mom in this article for the Daily News on 4/24/12 — a day before her birthday. Coincidence? I think not.

People ask me why I love helping, inspiring and impacting people so much. Well, this is one of the biggest reasons. I’m a teacher at heart. It’s in my blood. My mom was a teacher, along with my aunt and grandma.

Terry, once again, thank you for my making my mom’s life complete, and for helping me to figure out what I want to do!

You have no idea the amount of joy you bring to her (and all of us!). My only hope is that I can do the same with my clients…and I think I’m getting there.

The end. (Cut to black.)