A Woman of Courage and Strength: A Mother’s Day Tribute Part 4

A Woman of Courage and Strength: A Mother’s Day Tribute Part 4

Continue with me in the conclusion of my first family history memoir/narrative, from A Woman of Courage and Strength: A Mother's Day Tribute Part 3.
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Another Tragedy Strikes, Another Test of Courage:
My mom started childcare back in the 1980’s and continued up until 2011, when she became paralyzed due to a mishap with a CT Myelogram. She adored all the children she babysat over the years, and I believe she touched every single one of their lives; they brought so much joy to her life, and I’m sure she brought a lot of joy to theirs. After being paralyzed in 2011, she was filled with grief, as she knew she would not be able to babysit anymore, and she had thought all her activities she loved, like card making, ceramic painting, and more would no longer be able to be done. It was a very difficult time for her for the first couple of years, but she got right back to the activities she loved; it took quadruple time, but she made it happen. After her passing, I had reached out to Color Me Mine to pick up the last projects she was working on. One of the staff there, who spent a lot of time helping her and conversing with her, had said she remembered my mom coming in and spending many days, and all day, on her pieces. She remembered how difficult it was for her, but how my mom was extremely patient and would never give up, and how passionate she was with it and how much joy it brought her.

My mom was a strong woman who overcame many adversities in her childhood and during the rest of her life. Some of these drawbacks included an unfathomable childhood; a childhood car accident that left her with facial reconstructive surgery and complete dentures by the age of 9; severe scoliosis; 21 back surgeries; her paralysis; losing her home and almost 80% of her belongings in the year and a half right before she passed, due to the home she was renting being sold, all while she was in the hospital battling a severe staph infection; and being moved into an assisted living home, when all she ever wanted was to be in her own home and independent.

I will never forget how, the last year before she passed, she walked blocks with her walker to see me give a presentation in Whittier. I told her she would be bored with the topic, but she insisted on coming to hear me speak.

No matter how difficult things were, my mom pressed on and kept her faith. It was through her relationship with God that she had hope and faith in knowing that everything was in his control, and she was able to ease her anxieties in life, which was shown through her personal journal. I will always remember her tremendous strength in trying to overcome her extreme adversities in life.

Take Aways Gifted to Me from my Mom:
Not only was my mom gifted with creativity that she was able to use to show her love for others when she didn't know how to show love in conventional ways, but she was gifted with so much more that she hadn't come to realize! She was gifted with resiliency, strength and courage.

I’ve learned many things throughout my life from my mom, but the 2 things that stick the most are to never give up with anything and to put forth 100% in everything I do.
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I hope she knew just how much I loved her; she is truly missed and is greatly loved.

Me and My Mom, 1994

Me and My Mom, 2007

Interative Questions:
Do you have an ancestor or family member that showed tremendous courage during challenging times? What have you learned from a trying experience, family member or ancestor? I'd love to read your comments below!
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More Family History Memoirs:
​Read this story from the beginning and find more family history stories under the Family History Memoirs category!

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Note: 
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