I've known some pretty amazing women in my life, and it should come as no surprise that most of them happen to be mothers. Today I pay tribute, not just to the mothers in these women, but to the women in these mothers.

So to my mother, Doris Gaskell-Nuyda, my mother-in-law Evelyn Escalante-Tatlonghari, my sisters and sisters-in-law, my dearest and closest friends (and their mothers!)--HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!



Pretty women wonder where my secret lies
I'm not cute or built to suit a fashion model's size
But when I start to tell them,
They think I'm telling lies.
I say,
It's in the reach of my arms
The span of my hips,
The stride of my step,
The curl of my lips.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

I walk into a room
Just as cool as you please,
And to a man,
The fellows stand or
Fall down on their knees.
Then they swarm around me,
A hive of honey bees.
I say,
It's the fire in my eyes,
And the flash of my teeth,
The swing in my waist,
And the joy in my feet.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Men themselves have wondered
What they see in me.
They try so much
But they can't touch
My inner mystery.
When I try to show them
They say they still can't see.
I say,
It's in the arch of my back,
The sun of my smile,
The ride of my breasts,
The grace of my style.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Now you understand
Just why my head's not bowed.
I don't shout or jump about
Or have to talk real loud.
When you see me passing
It ought to make you proud.
I say,
It's in the click of my heels,
The bend of my hair,
The palm of my hand,
The need of my care,
'Cause I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Maya Angelou

I also want to make a very special, quiet tribute to another phenomenal woman...dancer, businesswoman, mother of two amazing children and loving wife to good friend and fellow actor Jim Paolelli...to Joy Paolelli, who passed away suddenly two days ago. Your spirit will live on forever, Joy. We were blessed in this world to have known you.