The Most Precious Gift from My Mother: Life and Love

Her Love and Care

A simple sentence that has guided me for my entire life: “If you can’t afford to lose, you can’t afford to win.”

That was her response when one of my father’s friends offered me 1,000-to-1 odds on a horse, and I asked her to borrow a dollar to make the bet. She did not give me the money, and the horse won. I have never forgotten that sentence, and it has probably saved me thousands of dollars over the years.

Just Being Alive

“Just being alive is all I need,” I often tell myself. My mother, who did the best she could with what she had, is the best ever. Even with limited resources, she ensured that I had the best possible life.

A Terrible Car Crash

When I was 4 years old, my father and I were involved in a terrible car crash that resulted in his death. I barely made it out alive. After the hospitalization, my mother was a mess, and we had to live with my grandmother. Even at 4, I understood that my mother needed something to live for. The pain from the loss that she had encountered at the tender age of 22 had devastated her life.

The Gun in Her Lap

I remember one evening when I saw a gun in her lap. I knew what it was and why she was crying. Nothing I did could cheer her up. I thought long and hard and came up with a solution. "Just go get us another daddy," I told her. I believed this would solve the problem.

It took her a year and a half, but she found him. Tom, a farmer who lived on a ranch. Meeting him was the beginning of a new chapter. I remember thinking, "Now we can all be happy again!" And we were. Tom became the best father I could ever ask for, bringing a smile back to my mother's eyes and showing her the love she desperately needed.

What Did My Mother Give Me?

My mother gave me life, hers, and ours. Life is precious, and I am forever grateful for the lessons and love she instilled in me. Even though I have missed her for the past four years, the memories and wisdom she shared continue to guide me.

The Legacy of Strong Women

My most cherished gift from my mother is the fact that she told me about my father before and after they were married. She shared her own experiences growing up, and how her aunts and uncles lived. She wanted me to know that I am part of a long line of strong women and to never forget it. While the pain of her passing still lingers, the words of wisdom continue to bring me comfort and strength.

My mother’s guidance, her love, and the lessons I learned from her have made me the person I am today. They are the most precious gifts I could ever receive.