Special Edition: Mother's Day

Whether we outright acknowledge it or not, we all have heroes or idols to whom we model our lives or to whom we look for strength and guidance. For me, my hero is my mom. There are so many articles and conversations out there right now saying that women can't have it all, mostly meaning a career and a family, that they have to make a choice, have to make sacrifices. But my mom, she's done it all.

While managing earning her degree and working full time, my mom was an active, involved, and supporting participant in the lives of her four daughters. There was never a competition, performance or birthday missed. And we were very active youngins. My sisters and I were involved in Girl-scouts dance, band, ballet and orchestra. And she was always there snapping a million photos, capturing every moment.

For guidance and wisdom, kitchen company, and many, many laughs, I know to turn to my mom. I'm so glad and so proud to call her my mom that I wanted to share this sentiment with you, dear readers.

To you, mom, I am sorry that I could not be there with you for Mother's Day back home, and I know that that it is tough with the continental US separating us, but know that you are with me in my heart always. Love, your baby.

My mom, my sisters and me in Summer of 2011