International Women's Day

 I was taught to honor women EVERY day, but because today is specifically set aside Internationally, I will say, THANK YOU to all the women who have participated in and enriched my life. To Andy Matott, the most wonderful woman I have ever known and have the privilege to spend my life with. To Kate Matott, who is literally one of the best mothers I've ever witnessed (and quite frankly has the two most awesome little boys on the planet) and a wonderful wife to my awesome son. To Stefani Matott a truly kind person with one of the most generous hearts I know, who brings joy to our family and is an incredible wife to my other awesome son. To Bessie Ann Beckley-Allison (my bio mom) who upon finding her, welcomed me and my family into hers and answered many of the questions I had most of my life. 

To the COUNTLESS teachers and educators I was taught by and now interact with daily, numerous authors and illustrators who have influenced my career, all the females I call friend. 

To the most important person in my formative years, my mother, Julia Matott, who was a first generation American from Europe, a professional professor, involved in countless clubs and organizations, a survivor of a brain tumor with the resolve to prove ALL of the doctors wrong and brought herself back to health by working out with "all those good looking young men" at the local gym and never giving up on her resolve to beat all of the devasting side effects of a major brain surgery. She was one of the most interesting people I've ever met, a feminist in the right way, honoring ALL people and a woman who decided at 40 that she needed a boy who needed a mom. A woman who raised me to believe marriage meant both people had the right and opportunity to seek their dreams and pursue all that their gifts and talent had to offer. My mom adopted me (well my dad did too) and raised me to believe in myself and to believe that I could do ANYTHING in this great country if I applied myself. 

AND last but not least, to my father Glenn Matott, who taught me as a boy to cherish his wife, my mother, and loved her in a way that taught me how to love my own wife. I have seen that honoring of a wonderful woman pass down through me to my sons. I love the way they honor their wives... legacy and generational blessing. 

SO, HERE'S TO WOMEN ON THIS DAY AND EVERY OTHER DAY!