For Jamie Goldberg, this Mother’s Day will be celebrated just like many any other holidays: receiving lots of handmade cards from her six children.

“I love handmade cards, and my kids are great at remembering every occasion to give me one,” she said.  “I’ve saved all their cards over the years— covered with glitter, bows, everything. ”

A nurse in the pediatric surgery department at Centennial Medical Center, Jamie has quite a collection of cards from over the years as her four daughters and two sons have grown up. She said she’s always loved children and is fortunate to have a big family, along with a career that allows her to directly care for young patients.

“Being a mother is not easy, so when I talk to the parents of my patients, I just try to remind them they have done all they could, and we’re taking care of them now.”

Jamie’s 24-year-old son Jordan said his mother has always led by example to be caring whole-heartedly for her patients and being compassionate in all aspects of life.

“She always tells us to do the best we can and be happy with what we do,” he said. “She instilled that value in us, and I know she would anything for anyone.”

 Inspired by their mother’s dedication, the six Goldberg children, ranging in age 18 to 39, have all adopted their mother’s work ethic to find success themselves. Two of her daughters are practicing physicians, one son is enrolled in medical school and another is planning to attend after college. One daughter followed her father’s path to become an attorney and another daughter is enrolled as an undergraduate at The University of Texas.

Jamie has worked as a nurse in the Dallas area for decades, after a short career in education. She recalls while working in the oncology department of a local hospital, her children liked to visit her at work. When her daughter Sarah was about ten years old, she formed a special relationship with a man who had been receiving treatments.

 “She became friends with him over a span of three years, and she always felt she could do something to help.” Despite Sarah’s talent as a dancer, she decided to pick a career that was rewarding in the same way her mother’s. She is now a resident physician specializing in radiology.

This year, her youngest child Jackson will be moving away to attend college. “Every morning and every night my kids call me,” she said. “The first time he doesn’t pick up when I call, I’m on my way to Austin.”

Eighteen-year-old Jackson said he thinks he’ll adjust to life away from home just fine. “My mom will still be here for me and be as much as a part a life as she can.”

As the last child at home, Jackson said the environment has changed as the amount of family members under one roof as decreased. “With everyone’s schedules, it was chaotic. But I wouldn’t have it any other way,” he said. “She’s done her best, which is more than perfect.”

Jamie said living without children at home will be a transition. “I like to be busy all the time,” she said, then added jokingly, “Maybe I’ll adopt some more children?” She will continue to work at Centennial Medical Center four or five days a week.

When her children were younger, Jamie balanced a schedule to spend the most time with her family as possible. She would usually stay home Monday through Friday to help take the kids to school and activities, then work double shifts on Saturday and Sunday.

“I was able to stay home with my kids during the week and then work on the weekends,” she said. “I don’t think they realized I wasn’t there because I got to see them so much during the week.”

Jackson said he and his siblings know how committed their mother is and look for opportunities to show their appreciation. He plans to keep with the tradition and make a homemade card this Mother’s Day. “The siblings always compete to see who has the best. But, with four girls and two boys, the guys can be at a disadvantage,” he said.

“They worry I work too hard,” Jamie said. “They really, really are grateful. It’s surprising; they’ve really haven’t asked for anything.”

She said this Mother’s Day will be another great holiday to celebrate with her family.  “I’ve realized that every year that I’m a mom, I realized truly what it is to be a mom,” she said.