Momcafe

My mother is my hero. She is the most courageous person I know. I hope that this piece about her provides you with the inspiration to see the silver lining behind each cloud. I hope that when you experience disappointment or like the world is against you you can revert back to my mother's story and know that there is always hope.

People can achieve incredible things despite the odds against them. My mother is one of those people. Her life is full of friends and a self awareness and compassion that comes from a deep well of suffering. She was always giving giving giving. Not taking time for herself and putting everybody's needs ahead of her own.

As a teenager I went through a rough time. She could have given up on me and kicked me out of the house but she always stood by me. One day a friend looked at my mother and said "Ellen I notice that your pinky finger is shaking". My mother noticed it too. She went to the doctor and it was dismissed. Within months the shaking became worse. She was then diagnosed with Parkinson's disease.

She had to give up teaching. My brother and I were teenagers. Her mother, step mother and grandmother had passed away. So all she had was herself and this horrific disease. I call it horrific but my mother never called it that. She referred to her fluttering right arm as her "angel wing". When life gives you lemons, she would tell me when I was feeling sorry for myself, make lemonade!

She went on a creative journey. One of the first things she did was begin composing poetry. Later her vast collection of poems would become a book that people would buy. She also took up making bracelets and necklaces-also something that was remarkable considering her trembling hand. She would sell the bracelets and necklaces at craft shows and to friends. She took up pilates and loved it so much that she started teaching it! She volunteered at the gym and was given an coveted award for her dedication in front of 200 people (only 3 people received the award). She never told me about the award-I found out about it through my father. Her picture is on a wall at the YMCA.

She loves clothing and putting together outfits that turn heads and often make her appear the most elegant woman in the room. She was even in a fashion show!

My mother is incredibly involved in the Parkinson's community. She insists on seeing the light at the end of the tunnel without realizing that she is that light to so many of the people around her.

Thank you mom for giving me life. Thank you mom for being who you are. Thank you for never giving up on me. You have touched so many people's lives. I know I'm not the only one who calls you their hero.