"My Dear Mother"

Throughout my life I have one source of inspiration.My mother Deborah. She raised my sister, my brother, and myself as a single parent. Working full-time as a counselor at Juvenile Hall. For years she has been my rock. It took me awhile to appreciate her strength. She never let us see her as a weak person. She had strict rules, and high expectations. Her and her sisters grew up in the projects with my grandmother and grandfather. Luckily all of them made it out of the projects and established careers for themselves. My mother always told me anything I want I can have, and not to let anyone tell me otherwise. She is the smartest woman I know, and I respect her for everything she has taught me. Don't get me wrong, we've had our up's and downs, but I never once doubted her love for me and my siblings. When I got in trouble, she would put me on a punishment, but she would also spend hours talking to me. Asking me how I felt, and actually listening to what I had to say. My mother has a lot of insight, and that has definitely rubbed off on me. She is a very intellectual, caring human being. She never let me make excuses for myself, and always push me to be the best I can be. I took her for granted for many years, assuming that everyone was suppose to be the kind of mother she was. I never understood how much she sacrificed to raise us, and make sure we never wanted for anything. She made it to every game, every dance recital, and was there anytime one of us got hurt. My mother has gone through a lot to make sure my siblings and I lived a comfortable life. She educated us on matters some parents have a difficult time talking about. She respected the fact that we had our own minds, and never stopped any of us from going after something we were passionate about. I've always said that the way I was raised is not a reflection on the decisions I've made for my life. Actually it's quite the opposite. For many years my mother and I butt heads, because of course I thought I knew better. I sure was wrong. My mother is the strongest, smartest woman I know. I look to her for advice, a shoulder to lean on, and endless jokes. My mother is a great person, she takes care of her family, as well as all the kids she encounters on a daily basis at work. I still don't know how she did it, but I assume she just didn't see any other options. She never thought twice about providing for her family, even if it meant her life had to be put on hold. My mother will never stop inspiring me to be a respectable, educated, compassionate, self-aware individual.