By Dana Plazyk

Dr. Donda West had a great investment in higher education, having devoted 31 years of her life to teaching and improving the chances of  high school students to graduate.  In 2007, along with her son, renown hip-hop artist Kanye West, she co-f0unded The Kanye West Foundation, which was established to “help combat the severe dropout problem in high schools across the country.”

Her untimely death did not stop the realization of this dream, as Kanye West continues to fulfill it. Through the foundation’s “Loop Dreams” initiative, Kaney has set forth to establish production companies within high schools.  Their purpose is to create an interest on what exists beyond the popularity of hip-hop, by challenging students to delve into other aspects of music, from creative to managerial, while developing the necessary skills to empower themselves for their future.  And staying in school is all a part of it.

The Kanye West Foundation has also launched a series of benefit concerts, “Stay in School Concerts,” which blends community and corporate involvement to achieve the common goal of improving the length that students stay in school, especially in impoverished   or high-crime areas.  The first one had taken place in 2007 shortly before Dr. West’s death.  The second one, was to be memorable.

Last December, two other mothers come into the story.   As Wendy Abrams drives her son David to school, a segment on WBEZ, Chicago Public Radio, features a story of a student at Robeson High School, Mykelle Wheeler,  who is failing his grades.  His mother, Dorothy Wheeler, thinks of offering Mykelle two tickets to a Lil Wayne concert as a reward for getting  better grades and not skipping class.   This was a moment of inspiration for David Abrams who thinks a free concert might be a good motivation for students to do better.  He tells his mother who encourages him to try. 

In a short period of time, David Abrams and friend Zak Harris organize students from New Trier and Highland Park high schools and form SHOW (Students Helping Our World) to take on the challenge, eventually getting the support of Chicago’s Mayor Daley, former quarterback of the Chicago Bears Kyle Orton and  Chicago Public Schools, who name six possible schools to be involved in the project.  SHOW members formulate the guidelines   students must   adhere to in order to qualify for the free concert tickets , including showing marked improvement in grades, attitude and attendance.  The ultimate part of the puzzle:  The Kanye West Foundation.

On June 12, 2009, three thousand students attend Kanye West’s concert at the Chicago Theatre after receiving free tickets.  A testament to the power of conviction and the fulfillment of a wish that came true on many levels for all involved—including that of those three mothers.

By Dana Plazyk

In her blog The Happiness Project Gretchen Rubin writes about what else? Happiness!

But it’s really more than that. During a year’s time she set forth to test in principle and theory what it takes to be happy. She delved into information available, scientific studies, historical recounts, listened to tips from famous and not so famous and put down in paper her daily adventures on the quest for happiness.

During that year, Gretchen, mother of two young daughters, also had the opportunity to put together a touching two-minute movie, The Years Are Short, about childhood and the special bond we can have with our children.  A key ingredient to happiness. 

The Years Are Short, A Movie By Gretchen Rubin

Worth watching!

Her book “THE HAPPINESS PROJECT” (HarperCollins) is due to come out in late 2009.

Gretchen Rubin is an accomplished author of several books:
Forty Ways to Look at Winston Churchill: A Brief Account of a Long Life
Power Money Fame Sex: A User’s Guide
Profane Waste: Essay by Gretchen Rubin And Photographs by Dana Hoey
Forty Ways to Look at JFK

The Happiness Project is available for preorder.

By Dana Plazyk

News spread around the world like wild fire when Connie Culp, mother of two and grandmother of two, gave her first interview at the Cleveland Clinic on May 5, 2009. Connie was the recipient of the first face transplant ever performed in the U.S. and she was happy and to show off her new face.

Her “new face” didn’t just imply a new physical look, but a new chapter in a story that began a little over five years ago in Ohio, when she was just 40.

This chapter in Connie’s story begins when in a split second her life is forever changed. “There were some good times and some bad times,” she said in an interview with Diane Sawyer of Good Morning America speaking about her marriage, “and that day I knew something bad was going to happen. I never expected it to be this.” In a fit of anger, her husband had shot her with a shotgun destroying 80% of her face. Connie was left with no jaw, nose or nerve endings and with hundreds of shotgun pellets and bone splinters embedded in what was left of her face.

Two months after the shooting, Dr. Risal Djohan of the Cleveland Clinic made her a promise: “He didn’t know if he could “fix” me, but he’d try.” Over the next five years, Connie underwent 27 surgeries to rebuild her face, enduring excruciating pain. But there was something about Connie that prevailed above all: her courage, humor and positive outlook on the whole ordeal. Even when being pointed at, or dubbed as a “monster” by children, she never gave up.

Finally, on December 10, 2008 in a procedure lead by Dr. Maria Siemionow, Connie received the face of an anonymous donor—a woman of about her age and her complexion—to whom she is eternally grateful. In a 22-hour procedure, surgeons attached some of the skeleton structure, nerves, tissues and a nose to her battered face. In the Cleveland Clinic press conference, Connie recalled her first thankful words: “I’ve got me my nose!” Later in the GMA interview she remembered what it was like smelling again after five years and sneezing for the first time. “I didn’t know what part to cover, “ she recalled. Another great experience came when she was able to eat a hamburger and pizza again. So many things most of us just take for granted…

Her story is not over. She will have to undergo more surgeries to continue the restructuring of her face. In the meantime, she pledges to tell her story and campaign against domestic violence. “If he threatens you, it’s going to happen,” she commented teary-eyed to Diane Sawyer. Her husband received a 7-year prison sentence, which he is currently serving.

Connie is thankful for many things these days—especially her “extended family” in which she includes her doctors, therapists, nurses and the anonymous family of the woman with whom she shares a face. She also thanks her daughter who has been with her throughout this ordeal.

Connie is inspired by the lyrics from Tim McGraw’s song “Live Like You Were Dying: And I loved deeper , And I spoke sweeter, And I gave forgiveness I’d been denyin’” The focus of everyday worries can change in a moment and she tell us : “When someone has a disfigurement…don’t judge them, because you never know what happened.”

In this age of beauty queens and celebrities, Connie reminds us that beauty really resides within the spirit. The story of Connie Culp is one that should be read and retold.

Crazy Love
Why Does He Do That?: Inside the Minds of Angry and Controlling Men

By Dana Plazyk

The real answer is “PRICELESS!” 

Can one really put a value on the relentless dedication and devotion of a mother that attends to her family and household?  Is it measurable?  Perhaps intangibles such as love, nurture, and the pursuit of the family’s well-being  may not be able to be measured accurately.  But when it comes to the physical tasks that are involved in the management of a family, there is a number.

What if someone would have to be hired to do all the work a mother does?  How much would that cost?  Here are the astonishing figures:  According to Diane Sawyer of Good Morning America, in the U.S. to replace a stay-at-home mom, be ready to pay $122,000.00 annually.  To replace a mom that works from home or outside the home, take her base salary plus $76,000.00!

Information that will well worth sharing!

By Dana Plazyk

Mother’s Day is celebrated around the world, but not always on the same day.   If you know a mother whose native language is not English, you may want to surprise her with a greeting in her own language.

Here is a list of how to say “Happy Mother’s Day” in many languages  as well as when to wish mothers the happiness they deserve on their day. 

Argentina - “¡Feliz día de la madre!” - Second Sunday in October
     More on Argentinean Mother’s Day
Belarus - “Шчаслiвага Дня Мацi!”- October 14th
     More on Belarusian Mother’s Day
Belgium - “Bonne fête des mamans!” - Second Sunday in May
     More on Belgian Mother’s Day
Brazil - Feliz Dia das Mães! - Second Sunday in May
     More on Brazilian Mother’s Day
China - 母親節快) - Mǔqīnjié kuàilè – Happy Mother’s Day Festival! - Second Sunday of the fourth lunar month - “mu qin jié”
     More on Chinese Mother’s Day
England - “Happy Mothering Sunday!” - Fourth Sunday during Lent
     More on English Mother’s Day
Estonia - “Head emadepäeva!” - Second Sunday in May
     More on Estonian Mother’s Day
France - “Bonne fête des mamans!” - Last Sunday in May
     More on French Mother’s Day
Greece - Ημέρα της Μητέρας - Second Sunday in May
     More on Greek Mother’s Day
Guatemala - ¡Feliz día de las madres! - May 10th
     More on Guatemalan Mother’s Day
Holland - “Gelukkie Moederdag!” - “Prettige Moederdag!” - Second Sunday in May
     More on Dutch Mother’s Day
India - हैप्पी मातृ दिवस! (Hindi) - Second Sunday in October
     More on Indian Mother’s Day
Indonesia - “Hari Ibu” - December 22nd
     More on Indonesian Mother’s Day
Ireland - “Lá an mháthair faoi shona dhuit!” - 4th Sunday in Lent
     More on Irish Mother’s Day
Italy - “Auguri, mamma!” - Second Sunday in May
     More on Italian Mother’s Day
Israel - Yom ha’em sameah! - Second Sunday in May/11 of Cheshvan
     More on Jewish Mother’s Day
Japan - 母の日おめでとう Haha-no hi omedetō - Second Sunday in May
     More on Japanese Mother’s Day
Korea - “Omoninalul chukahamnida!” - May 8th
     More on Korean Mother’s Day
Lithuania - “Laimingos motinos diena!” - First Sunday in May
     More on Lithuanian Mother’s Day
Mongolia - June 1st, March 8th
     More on Mongolian Mother’s Day
New Zealand - “Happy Mum’s Day!” - Second Sunday in May
     More on New Zealander Mother’s Day
Panama - ¡Feliz día de la madre! - December 8th
     More on Panamanian Mother’s Day
Philippines - “Maligayang Araw ng mga Nanay!” - Second Sunday in May
     More on Filipino Mother’s Day
Portugal - “Feliz dia da mãe” - December 8th
     More on Portuguese Mother’s Day
Romania - “Ziua mamei!” - March 8th
     More on Romanian Mother’s Day
Russia - ” Счастливого Дня Матери ” - Last Sunday in November
     More on Russian Mother’s Day
Saudi Arabia - “Eid omm sa’eed!” March 21st
     More on Saudi Arabian Mother’s Day
Serbia - “Dan Majki” - 2nd Sunday before Christmas - March 8th
     More on Serbian Mother’s Day
Singapore - “Muqijie kuaile!” - Second Sunday in May
     More on Singaporean Mother’s Day
Spain - “Feliz día de la madre” - December 8th
     More on Spanish Mother’s Day
South Africa (Afrikaans) - “Geseende Moeders Dag en al die moeders van die wereld!” - Second Sunday in May
     More on South African (Afrikaans) Mother’s Day
South Africa (English) - “Happy Mother’s Day!” - Second Sunday in May
     More on South African Mother’s Day
Sweeden - “Glad mors dag!” - Last Sunday in May
     More on Swedish Mother’s Day
Thailand - “Sook san wan mae!”- August 12th
     More on Thai Mother’s Day
Tibet - Lha-bab Duechen Festival - 22nd day in the ninth Tibetan lunar month
     More on Tibetan Mother’s Day
Ukraine - “Вітаю з Днем Матері! - Second Sunday in May
     More on Ukranian Mother’s Day
United States - “Happy Mother’s Day!” - Second Sunday in May
     More on American Mother’s Day - History
     More on American Mother’s Day - Traditions
Vietnam - “Chic Mung Ngay Me” - March 8th
     More on Vietnamese Mother’s Day

Help us grow our list!  Leave us a comment –above, under the title– and tell us when your country celebrates Mother’s Day, how do you say “Happy Mother’s Day” in your language, and share with the rest of us what traditions you have to celebrate this very important day in the life of a woman.

Dana Plazyk of Flowers By Design shows us how to make a flower corsage using Real Touch Flowers silk flowers that will remind Mom how special she is all year long.

A List of Materials used is available

View Flowers By Design YouTube Channel To See All How-To Videos

Watch this video with step-by-step instructions on how to make a beautiful Mother’s Day Basket using hydrangeas, roses and even butterflies. Dana Plazyk of Flowers By Design shows you how.

List Of Materials Used

Watch More How-To Design With Silks Videos

Throughout the world mothers are showered with special gifts on Mother’s Day. Learn how to make a gift basket using real touch roses where you can put all the presents you want to give to your mom on her special day!

MOTHER’S DAY GIFT BASKET

Watch Dana Plazyk of Flowers By Design design this gift basket any mother would love! 

- Line a basket with an ivy bush;
- Tie Two Real Touch Roses at the ends of the handle;
- Insert Mom’s favorite items, such as a frame, chocolates, perfume
   and jewelry;
- Give to Mom on Mother’s Day or any other special day

 A List of Materials used is available. 

Mother’s Day has been recognized as a special day and it is celebrated in many countries around the world. The date on which it is falls, however, differs from country to country.