I am blessed. God gave to me, and my three siblings, a mom who is a tremendous encourager. To the rest of the world, she’s known as Sheila, but to me, she is mom. She is the one who has spoken blessings over me and believed in me from the beginning.
And it was a very rough beginning. You see, my mom had a very large ovarian cyst when she was pregnant with me. And when she was just six weeks along, the doctors had to perform an emergency operation to extract the cyst. After the surgery, they told her to go home and expect a miscarriage. Even though those words terrified my mother, she believed for greater things.
My late grandmother took care of my mom for the months that followed -- and I came into the world nine months later as a healthy, bouncing baby girl.
So began my mom’s journey into parenthood. My mom says she always knew that she wanted to have four children. She says that she wanted the four of us, (two girls and two boys), the way that some people want to be a rock star! That’s how much passion she has for the incredible gift of being a mother.
As a kid, through the growing up process, there are always times of self doubt. However, my mom has always been there to say, “You can do it Reba!” (my nickname)
When I wanted to try out for cheerleading in high school but feared failing, she said, “You can do it, I believe in you!” Yes, I did make the cheerleading squad.
When she brought home an admissions application from the University of Miami and presented me with it, I said, “I’ll never be accepted to U of M. I should just stay at the community college.” Mom replied. “Those kids I see on campus don’t have anything that you don’t have.” I will never forget those words. I filled out the application and yes, I was accepted to the U of M. I am proud to say that I hold a Bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism from the U of M.
I am now a single parent. It has not been an easy journey. But mom, you know all too well what it’s like being a single parent. You were the single parent of four children, and you know all too well what a challenging journey that was. But you did it – you raised us all up. And we all turned out pretty fantastic! (and modest!)
This past Mother’s Day, my mom sent ME a Mother’s Day card. In it she wrote, “I just wanted you to know that I think you are a great Mom and that you make me very proud! I love you very much, your Mom!”
Wow! Mom, to say thank you does not even begin to cover the depth of appreciation I hold in my heart for all that you have sacrificed and done for me and my three younger siblings.
I am proud of you Mom. You have always set a great example for me. You are my greatest encourager, my greatest friend. I am blessed to have you as my mom. I love you!
Your daughter, “Reba.”
