For my mom...

I felt a really strong need to write a few thoughts about my incredible mother. Now I know there are a lot of selfless, caring, empathetic mothers out there, but I truly believe I was blessed to be born to and raised by one of the most celestial women who has ever lived. I owe all my accomplishments to my mom.

She has been my number one supporter and cheerleader for my life. She taught me unconditional love, something I didn't truly understand until I became a mother myself; then I finally understood how blessed i was to grow up in the embrace of her fiercely-strong, selfless love.

My mom has not lived an easy life. In fact, I know of no other person who has been dealt more trials and hardships, yet continues to live faithfully to God and devoted to the happiness and well-being of others. My mom faces her trials beautifully, and uses them as tools to teach and uplift others. She is in every way a healer of broken hearts and  broken people. As a previous child of abuse, she now works full-time helping other children heal from their own abuse. As a once young and single mother, she is the perfect sympathizer for the sometimes dauntingly lonely task of being a stay at home mom. As a woman who has suffered debilitating physical ailments, she inspires and encourages others to push past their limitations, and sets the example by rocking out at Zumba class whenever she can. As her daughter, she helped heal me of my own insecurities, shyness, and fear of inadequacy. Because she believed in me, I believed in me.

I could write more about how my mom's special potato soup can heal any flu-like symptom, or how she would decorate her office proudly with the thousands of stcky-notes i had drawn pictures on, or how her singing to Carpenter's "Im On Top of the World" cures all teenage sassiness, or how her cool hands on my forehead soothed any anxiety or stress...but you'd still only get a small picture of how incredible of a mom this woman is.

On this mother's day, my first as a mother myself, I wanted to let my mom know just how remarkable of a woman and mother she is. If I can love my kids with half the selflessness that my mom shows to me, I will consider my life a success. I love you mom! happy mothers day!!