I had to work from a very early age, and my mom was always so supportive. I delivered the Washington Post and had to wake up at 5 am to bag newspapers (4 am on Sundays)... and my mom would often wake us up and help out.

It was so so cold and the air was so clear in the mornings, and I'd always look for Orion in the morning sky. My dad had to move overseas to support us when I was in junior high, but I always felt better when I saw Orion. He would disappear from the night sky in February and not come back until November, so it felt special to see him and point him out to my mom.

My mom also taught me that people really value a personal connection in business. So before we went door to door to collect payments, we would write our own comic strips for our customers. We'd take old Dagwood cartoons, and white out what they said... and write in our own captions. It was really popular, and our tips went way up.

Most of all, I just remember feeling so supported. It really cemented the value of family to me, and I strive to be as supportive with my own kids.

What are your fondest memories of your mom from childhood?