This is what I tell myself.

Every day.

When I feel like I can't take another mommy-he-hit-me-mommy-I'm-hungry-mommy-the-baby-stinks-mommy-mommy-mommy moment.

This is what I tell myself.

When my pounding head causes me to want to stay in bed instead of prep for school and soccer and karate and stuff.

This is what I tell myself.

My mom is the strongest woman I know.

She has endured emotional pain (loss of a child) and physical pain (near fatal, crippling accident) that most can't even begin to imagine.

She's been lonely, poor, down, and out.

But not one day, since I've been alive, has she not been the happiest part of my life.

She is the most self less person I have ever known.

And, not because she gives countless dollars to charity (since she doesn't have it) or volunteers in non profit organizations (although she has and does). It's because she never hesitates to put others first. She never complains about having to sacrifice for her family. And, she always does it with a smile.

Even on the days that we are all a bunch of bloody ingrates, she is giving, she is loving, and she is doing her best job to ensure that we are supported, safe, and secure.

I am now a mom to three little boys and am just beginning to understand what she has given me: The inspiration to live more for others than for myself, and the strength to continue because is she could, then why can't I?