There’s a television show that I enjoy watching. It’s called Judging Amy.

It’s about a recently divorced juvenile court judge who lives with her 5-year-old daughter and her social worker mother.

There are other characters along the way, but the majority of the plots and conflicts of the show originate from the mother-daughter relationship.

I love it because that relationship reminds me so much of the relationship between my mother and myself.

In my family, this has always been Mother’s Month, with Mother’s Day and then her birthday which is coming up May 30.

We celebrate Momma a lot during the month of May.

Judge Amy’s mother reminds me so much of my mother. In a recent episode, Amy came downstairs to go to work and her mother made a subtle comment about what she was wearing.

That is so much like my Momma.

So, your ears must be hurting and that’s why you’re not wearing earrings. Do you need some aspirin?

I noticed you’re not wearing lipstick. Did you have trouble choosing a color this morning?

Boy, your hair sure is going to look good when you get it cut.

I love it. She’s great, and she has certainly taught me well.

I don’t leave the house without earrings and lipstick.

She has always been the most incredible person. She worked hard all her life to give us everything we ever wanted.

She not only sent my brother and I to college, she also stood by my daddy when he wanted to go back to school and change his career of 20 years so he could move her halfway across the state of Alabama so she could start over.

She’s my best friend, my confidante and my hero.

I have been fortunate to know a lot of strong women in my lifetime.

That fact was brought home to me this past Easter, in fact, when I sat surrounded by my momma, three of her sisters, her sister-in-law and her aunt &045; all strong women, women with strength of character and love.

The tradition of these strong women began (in my eyes, at least) with my great-grandmother, Mommie Robbie.

I have a heart-full of special memories of her that I will always cherish.

The next generation was my grandmother, who died of cancer when momma was 16, and her two sisters, Mary and Joyce. Then momma and her sisters, Donna, Karen, Vickie and Lisa plus a sister-in-law, Elaine.

My generation came next. We’ve just begun, and as we stood around listening to the chatter on Easter, we were aware of the heights we needed to attain to carry on that strong tradition.

We have so many more opportunities and prospects these days than they ever did, and I can’t help but think it’s because of the strength and love of each of these women that we can look forward to bright futures.

It helps to be reminded of that sometimes. They also told some great stories, many of which would explain my obviously inherited propensity to do strange things.

I read an interesting item recently that reminded me of the strong women in my life. I wanted to share it with you.

Hopefully, you can appreciate the strong women in your lives

as well.

Women have strengths that amaze. They carry children. They carry hardship. They carry burdens, but they hold happiness, love and joy. They smile when they want to scream. They sing when they want to cry. They cry when they are happy and laugh when they are nervous. They fight for what they believe. They stand up against injustice.

They don’t take no for an answer when they believe there is a better solution.

They go without new shoes so their children can have them. They go to the doctor with a frightened friend. They give, and it’s part of who they are.

They love unconditionally.

They cry when their children excel and cheer when their friends get awards. They are happy when they hear about a birth or a new marriage. They always see love and hope first.

Their hearts break when a friend dies. They have sorrow at the loss of a family member, yet they are strong when it appears there is no strength left.

They know that a hug and a kiss can help heal a broken heart.

They fly, walk, run or e-mail you to show how much they care.

The heart of a woman is what makes the world spin!

Women do more than just give birth. They bring joy and hope. They give compassion and ideals. They give moral support to their family and friends. They are the glue that holds a family together.

Women have a lot to say and a lot to give.

It’s a lot to live up to, but I had a great example. I love you, Momma, and happy birthday.