The Most True Example of a Mother's Love

​My mom has always been one of my heroes. But the older I get, the more I realize just what an incredible role model and friend she is in my life.
 
I feel extremely grateful for how much one-on-one time I got with my mom growing up. Being the youngest, I was the last one at home when Andrea and Christina started school.
 
Mom and I had our own routine those days: watching The Today Show while she French braided my hair; eating grilled PB&J for lunch; playing a game of Mastermind; running errands in the minivan; listening to Andrew Lloyd Webber’s greatest hits…

As I grew older, our special things became our love of dogs, watching Gilmore Girls, and endless shopping trips.
 
My mom is always there to listen and I’ve always tried to live a life that would make her proud.

Mom and Me

​But what I admire most about my mom (and my dad too) is how she reacted when life didn’t go as she hoped or planned. I’m talking about when my oldest sister Christina was struck by lightning when she was 17-years-old - sustaining injuries that would need full-time caregiving for the rest of her life.
 
For nearly 20 years now, my parents have taken care of my sister without complaint or anger about what happened. As my dad said once, "You just do it and you would too if this happened to your own daughter."

Mom and Christina

​While that might be true, that people rise to the situation life puts them in, I believe no one handles it better than my parents do. The older I get, I now realize just how much work it is to be a caregiver. Yet, they never leave my sister behind – she comes on every vacation, reunion, dinner, etc. She is so loved.
 
Just after Christina was struck, I was feeling bad for our family. My mom noticed and stopped those feelings in that moment. She said we wouldn’t be throwing ourselves any pity parties. She told me we would only look forward, not back. And that’s exactly what she’s done.

​My mom is the most pure, true example of a mother’s love. Her life is a testament to that every single day.
 
Happy Mother’s Day to the best there is… Love you, Mom. 

All of Mom's Daughters and Granddaughter