by Sabrina Garibian posted in Parenting

I grew up with three moms. I had my real mom, who was so young and fun and always up for an adventure, and I miss her every day. I have my auntie, my mom's sister, who never ceases to amaze me with her boundless energy and selflessness. And I have Nonna, my beautiful, youthful 95-year-old Nonna.

Nonna lived in my house for 6 months of the year when I was growing up. I would make my bed in the morning, then a short while later my mom would remake it, straightening out the corners and fluffing my pillow. Finally my Nonna would remake the bed my mom had already remade, pulling it into hospital corners so tight I had to slide in at night.
I have learned so much from my Nonna, and in honor of her recent visit to me in Philadelphia (all the way from Rhode Island -- no small feat for a 95-year-old) I thought I would share some things she taught me about motherhood. Here are 9 things my 95-year-old Nonna taught me about life:

Do more, always. Nonna never seems to tire. Even as a bonafide elderly woman, Nonna does the dinner dishes each night and gets dressed to the nines every day. She is an inspiration!
Be uncomfortable sometimes, and you may reap great rewards. It was a huge challenge for Nonna to sit in a car for a 6-hour car ride, climb my steps over and over again to get into her room for the weekend, and to carefully step into the pool to enjoy it with her great grandchildren. Nonna pushed herself though and we are so thankful. We ...