I was born in a small town to the best mom on the planet.  She made so many sacrifices for me so that I would have access to opportunities and experiences that she never imagined.  I went on to attend college, enter the military, become the mother of three beautiful children, and continue her legacy working in Human Resources.

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I was as she would say her “wild child”.  I would befriend everyone, take every chance, join every club, and take every trip.  She said that I wasn’t afraid of anything.  She was wrong, I was terribly afraid of losing her.  When my sister called me on Mother’s Day 2018 to say that my mom was in the hospital and that I needed to get there immediately it was like all of the air was sucked out of my lungs at once.  I couldn’t breathe, I couldn’t stand the thought of living without her.  I grabbed my purse and hopped on the first flight out.  As I was walking to my seat, my sister called and said that she was gone. Alzheimer’s had taken the person that I loved the most, the only person that has loved me unconditionally.

   

I will never forget that day, my life changed forever in one singular moment.

 

I instantly remembered every conversation, every argument, every cup of coffee we ever shared.  It has taken years to begin to come to grips with the loss of my number one supporter.  I knew I had to do something to honor the women who made me who I am today and in whose footsteps I stand.  

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I love you mommy and I hope that I am making you proud.