My Mother never went to college, nor had her parents. Her Mom had never worked outside the home and her Dad was a postal worker...a highly read one I believe. My Mother told me on occasion that her parents, who were originally from a Maryland farming community, didn't encourage post high school education for the girls.  She was one of two girls and 3 boys in the household.  However one of my first memories of her is her teaching me a poem before I started kindergarten. I was the only kid in my class that could recite a poem!  Going to an inner city public school, this was unusual at the time I guess. As I was growing up, she would play Scrabble with my sister, brother and me, and constantly correct our grammar both in writing and verbally.  The first job I recall her having was at a local shoe factory. Later, she landed a job as a secretary in the public school system where she worked for over 20 years before retiring.  She was very highly thought of at the high school, by the students, teachers and administrators.  A stickler for details, I recall her having me read the student names for the graduation program each year to make sure they were perfect.  And when her eyesight was good, she would never let a day go by when she didn't work on the crossword puzzle in the paper, usually completely finishing it.  She would sometimes ask me for help with some of the newer words, but I usually didn't know most of the answers she already had written in.  Her three children have 5 college degrees between us, and as a result owe a debt of gratitude to both Mom and Dad, for instilling in us the value of education and hard work.  Mom turned 87 last December.  Happy Mother's Day Mom!