Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Happy Mother's Day

I entered the following into a Mother's Day Contest at a local TV station...guidelines were to submit a 250 word essay on why your mom is the best...

“Do you know what the secret to life is?” my mom asked, squeezing my hand and towering above me as a large, strange dog rapidly approached. “Don’t ever let them know you’re afraid.”

Even in one of my earliest memories, my mother spoke courageously, giving me this secret weapon that I would always carry with me. My mother acted courageously even through the greatest challenge of her life. In November of 2005, just a few months after she turned 60, my mom suffered a massive stroke, enduring several brain surgeries, four months in the hospital, and extensive rehabilitation.

Learning to swallow, walk, talk, and live with the use of one arm were only a few of her challenges. This strong, independent woman, who was the first of five children in her family to earn a college degree, had to let my dad, two sisters, and I learn to take care of her, and much earlier in life than she ever expected. We all learned to reinvent ourselves, taking on new roles, especially my mom, and she did so with grace, courage, and strength.

My parents just celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary. They enjoy traveling, gardening, reading, and catching up with friends and family—especially their eight-year-old grandson. Their commitment to each other and to their family is my cornerstone.

My mom is the best because her life is a model of what it really means to be courageous. Because of her I know that I can do anything.
Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...