A number of people have shared with me a Mother’s Day note that United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby sent to employees today (and also posted on his Instagram page).
2023 Mother’s Day Note From Scott Kirby, United Airlines CEO
Here’s the note in full:
Happy Mother’s Day to the two most important influences on my life.
First, I was fortunate to have a mom (and dad) that spent tons of time with me and my siblings. We always knew that we were their top priority.
My mom is the most determined, driven and competitive person I know. She turned 21 three days before I was born and then quit college to raise six kids. But then in her late 30s, she went back to college and then graduated at the top of her class from the University of Texas Law School followed by practicing law for 30 years. I learned drive and commitment from her, and I am who I am today because I learned to be like her.
And talk about competitive. My mom memorized all the green and blue answers at Trivial Pursuit so that she could make sure to beat me… and didn’t fess up to it until 20 years later 😂. I got my competitive streak by competing with my mom!
But more importantly, she was always there and 100% on my side. She thought I was the best at everything I did (even when I wasn’t) and that made me believe I really was the best. When asked, I tell people that perhaps the most important thing to give your kids is self-confidence — always find the ways to be positive and make them feel good about themselves.
And today, I’m so fortunate to be married to Kathleen. She’s an amazing mother who is totally devoted to Sean, James, Logan and Scarlett. She too spends almost all of her time doing stuff with and for the kids. There’s no question in any of their minds that Kathleen is always there for them and would do anything for them… though Sean and James are getting to that age where they use that to their advantage.
But she’s also my best friend, my hiking partner, my travel buddy, my confidant and my advisor. She is truly my partner. When I was young and needed advice or to talk through a difficult issue, I always went to my mom and today, Kathleen is always the first person I talk to whether it’s work or personal issues.
And since it’s Mother’s Day, I also have to send my love to my oldest daughter Brittany who became a mother in December. Becoming a mother to Kai has been transformational for her and despite the lack of sleep, she’s happier now than she’s ever been ❤️.
So, on Mother’s Day, I’m fortunate to have great women in my life. I’ve learned to keep a good work-life balance and am blessed to be able to spend so much time with Kathleen and the kids.
Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms out there and thank you for everything you’ve done for all of us.
I chuckled that his mom cheated when they played games but I smiled at his warm words for both his mother and his current wife.
I don’t usually get to write about my mother this time year of year since Sunday is my day off and Mother’s Day always falls on a Sunday, but let me just say here how thankful I am for my dear, loving, patient, and generous mother, who I grow in thankfulness for as the years go by. I call her my “mother like no other” and indeed she is.
And I am also deeply grateful for the mother of my children, who shows me incredible loyalty, patience, understanding, and compassion. She is fierce and always honest, yet conscientious and tender. My children are so fortunate to have a mother like her and I am so blessed to have a wife of noble character.
image: @scottkirby / Instagram (Kirby on the right)
Thank you for sharing, Matt