I watched her do
the same all over again for my grandmother. Roles reversed, she cared tenderly
for my sweet grandmother, now a frail, tiny woman, so far away from the strong matriarch
and beacon I had known all my life.
But it didn’t
stop there. Even two more times, she cared for my father’s parents until their
deaths as well.
My mother never
broke. She was shrouded in strength and grace.
I owe her more
than I could ever hope to repay. I can recall one day calling her from a pay
phone from the University. I had just taken a test, thought for sure I’d
failed, and thought my life would be better off it I took a year off to work
and save money. I was truly overwhelmed, and there was only one person I needed
to talk to, and it was her. I’ll never forget how she talked me off that ledge.
A year later, I was walking across the stage, receiving my degree, my mom
waiting to congratulate me.
Six kids, and
countless years of working hard and caring for others later, she still is that
strength for all of us. She’s a little weaker now, a little bit slower, has had
countless battles with illness, but she doesn’t waiver. And when she isn’t
spending time with her family, she is making pillows to send off to deployed
soldiers!
Happy Mother’s
Day to the strongest woman I know, the one who made me what I am today. Words
cannot say what I need to. I can only try each and every day to let my heart’s
gratitude show you. God bless you, Momma!
