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What I Learned from My Mom (1941-2026)
My mom and I had a daily practice for many years: We would exchange gratitude emails. Every day, I’d email her one thing I was grateful for, and she’d email me one thing she was grateful for.
“I’m grateful for our cat Hoho who always makes me laugh.”
“I’m grateful that I’m allergic to chocolate, so I’m not tempted to eat it.”
Which is a great positive spin on being dealt a tough genetic hand.
Over the years, I emailed her hundreds of reasons I’m grateful. One thing I wish I’d emailed more often: How grateful I am that Ellen Jacobs was my mom.
First of all, she was supportive. So supportive. Consider this:
When my first book “The Know-It-All” came out, my mom bought so many copies on Amazon.com that the Amazon.com corporate office sent her a notice that she was forbidden to buy any more. They thought she was trying to set up her own bookstore to compete with them.
Another example: When I was researching a book on Elvis Presley, my mom volunteered to help with research. She ended up watching and taking notes on 12 Elvis movies. That’s dedication.
But it wasn’t just that she was a supportive mom. She was an inspirational mom.
She was a role model for me in so many ways — in being intellectually curious. In showing kindness whenever possible. In dealing with life’s hardships with humor. She once emailed me, “A sense of humor will get you through the toughest times--never lose it.”