In honor of Veterans Day coming up this weekend, I felt that it would be appropriate for me to talk about the most impactful Veteran in my own life.
My mom joined the Air Force right out of college. She did ROTC at La Tech while she was also in a sorority, in the marching band, and winning intramural badminton championships. Not to mention she studied both art and geography (she also later got her Masters in Education).
That’s a Rhode’s Scholar type resume` (I know this because I once aspired to be a Rhode’s Scholar, but after I looked up the qualifications I decided it was too hard). Men who’ve gone on to be Presidents of our country have had less on their resume`s coming out of college. I bet Barack’s name is not on any badminton championship trophies. Furthermore, it is an absolute fact that my mom would wipe out the nations deficit if she had just 1 year in the White House.
If I had to use one word to describe Mom it would be, “strong.”
Those of you who know her can attest to her strong will. She doesn’t quit when her mind is made up about something.
She is strong physically. I have mentioned in a previous blog post that she has battled Rheumatoid Arthritis since she was 23 years old. I hear stories about her playing her guitar Brazilian style when she was in college. She played and sang in several weddings of her friends. I remember her playing the guitar when I was young, but as time went on it was too hard on her hands. Even though she doesn’t play the guitar anymore or play tennis or badminton anymore, she has never once been physically unable to do anything she wanted to do as a mother, school teacher, or homemaker.
My mom doesn’t make excuses. She follows rules to the T. She has always had our home in order. She has always been there for me or my two brothers when we've needed her. She is a rock. She is unwaveringly true to her values and her love for our family.
She is emotionally strong. Mom has dealt with tragedies in her life since she was young. Her father died when she was young. As the oldest of three daughters, she took some of the responsibility of the family on herself. I’m sure that in a home of 4 females, there were some intensely emotional times. Maybe that’s why God gave her a home of 4 mostly drama free males to live with as an adult.
Finally, my mom’s love is strong. I watched the movie “Act of Valor” the other day, and there is a part where a soldier jumps on a grenade to shield the rest of his squadron from the blast. He sacrificed his own life in order to save 4 or 5 others. His act of unselfishness reminded me of my mom’s love for our family. My dad sometimes says that he would think about it before he took a bullet for me, but my mom would never hesitate. I know he is joking, but he is pointing out my mom’s uncompromised love for her sons.
As her child, I feel a little bit guilty for having her as a mother because I know she could’ve helped a lot more people if she would have instead chose to run for President or something.
I would not be the man I am today if it had not been for my mom. I will forever thank God for the strong woman who raised me.
I know that this blog post could not even come close to honoring her the way she deserves (I just don’t have the resources to have a statue built yet), but it will have to do for now.
Mom, if you ever end up reading this (and I assume you probably will), I want you to know that you are an amazing woman. You have overcome so much in your life. You have and will continue to leave a legacy of strength and unconditional love in our family.
I love you Mom.
Happy Veterans Day.