Mother’s day weekend is almost here and it would be a good time to be grateful for your mom. Mother’s day first began in 1908 by a woman named Anna Jarvis. Originally her intentions were to honor her mother but later she felt that all mothers everywhere should be honored. She put the effort in to make it a national holiday. Every year on the second Sunday of May, Mother’s day is celebrated. Mother’s all over the world are honored on this day.

“A mother is the truest friend we have, when trials heavy and sudden, fall upon us; when adversity takes the place of prosperity; when friends who rejoice with us in our sunshine desert us; when trouble thickens around us, still will she cling to us, and endeavor by her kind precepts and counsels to dissipate the clouds of darkness, and cause peace to return to our hearts.”
-- Washington Irving

My mom was never really the perfect mom but I honor her this mother’s day because I saw this woman when all hope was lost and now her life is better. She is a woman who is currently battling cancer. My mom raised seven children the best she could, on her own. Even though I went into foster care it was the love and protection that she gave me as kid, that’s what I will always remember. There was one day, back when, I think I was about 8 or 9 years old. It was Halloween so we all went out that night and my mom took us to this one house, where a guy had a chainsaw. We were little kids and were scared because the man with the chainsaw was getting way too close to us. Mom got upset and was telling the guy to back off. That day I saw her love and protection for us, there as a kid. Now, every time I see her, she asks me how I am doing and asks if I need anything. I love my mom and she is the reason why I’m here today.

I want to mention two other very important women in my life, who were like mothers to me. First I want to talk about my grandma. My grandma is a mom figure in my life but she was also my nena or god mother. My grandma always took care of me. I remember whenever she came to church on Sundays, before the next service she would always buy me something to eat. My grandmother was always looking out for me and always asking about me. When I was younger, I sprained my ankle at my aunt’s house and my grandma was over to visit. That day she decided to take me to her house for a week. My grandma made sure that each day I was able to enjoy myself.

The other person that I want to honor is my aunt, Melinda. As long as I could remember, my Tia was always taking care of me. She has not only spent a lot of money on me but she has also let me live with her. My aunt has always said she loves her nephews with all her heart. I told my aunt that she would always be a mom in my life and that I love her so much. I feel so very fortunate to have these 3 wonderful women in my life.

Grandma (middle) and my aunt Melinda (far right)