My mother has always given her time, support, and love to our family through each generation. It doesn't matter what the need is, she is there by our side.

Although even my earliest memories reflect a generous mother who worked hard to make sure that my father, brother, and me were well taken care, my greatest admiration has come as I have gotten older and watched her endless spirit of giving to our family. Her life has always been secondary to the needs of our family. If I were to share all of the wonderful things my mother has done for our family it would be a book rather than a short story so instead I will focus on some of my most cherished memories.

Both of my grandmothers and my great-grandmother developed serious health conditions at the same time and each had to be placed in separate nursing homes, once they required full time care. My mother was the only family member who assumed full responsibility for their comfort and care. She visited them daily, did their laundry, corresponded with their doctors and eventually handled all of their personal affairs. She was like a rock never complaining, focusing only on their well being. All of this occurred directly following my father's healing from colon cancer. I honestly can't remember my mother ever taking a break from constant care of others.

My brother, my daughter, and I have moved a few times in the past few years. My mother has assisted us in finding the right home for the right value, which she has a keen sense for. She is the first to show up to help pack, move boxes, clean, decorate, and assist with ongoing maintenance and upgrades.

A particularly touching memory I have of my mother's incredible love is during a tragic freak accident that took the life of my daughter's new puppy. The timing couldn't have been worse for my daughter and she was devastated. I witnessed my mother rushing into my daughter's apartment, shortly after I called her, picking my daughter up in her arms and consoling her as no one else could. It was as if she felt my daughter's pain and she knew exactly what she needed.

I also remember the time I came home from a very long day at work and first found boweevils in my kitchen. I had the willies but was still functional. Then I went outside and found something had been digging in my yard and I knew it wasn't my dogs. Then I discovered what the critter was, a skunk that proceeded to spray my dogs. Beside myself I screamed "I can't take anymore!" Well, guess who came to my rescue? Mom of course; she always does! We did have a good laugh afterdousing the dogs with tomato juice and cleaning up the mess.

I will end this story with the latest of my mother's incredible acts of giving. When my niece became unable to raise her infant son, my mother got temporary custody of her great grandson and has been caring for him for the past year and a half. I watch my mother once again put all of her own needs and desires aside to honor her greatest value in life, which is taking care of her family. My family and I owe an incredible debt of gratitude to my mother.