Happy Mother's Day!

Well, Happy Mother's Day to all you awesome mommies out there! I truly hope you're enjoying your day and that it is as beautiful as the day we're having here in El Paso. I also wanted to take the time to recognize my own mom, Ruby. And she really is a gem!

Visiting El Paso (March 2010)

You know, with me, friends have always come and gone, but my mom is my best friend and confidante--and her love and support has always been constant. My mom has always been an inspiration to me and the perfect role model. She has always been honest and candid (even in my teenage years, when I didn't want her to be all the time!); she has the kind of personality (and a laugh) that is so infectious and can light up the darkest of days; is a woman of God who shares her faith with others through her generosity and service; and she is one of the strongest women I know. Back then, she didn't have deployments to worry about and I thought I had it bad with Malu being away so much. But my dad went on two year-long tours to Korea and was away a lot at military schools. My mom took on the dual-parent role and I honestly never saw her falter. She always worked hard and made the time to be there for us, no matter how much it drained her. And she was an Army Wife for 24 years until my dad retired.

New Year's 2008

She's still as tough as nails these days. She has a full-time job running a local business in the Springs pretty much on her own and is the president of the Filipino American Community of Southern Colorado that unites thousands of Filipinos in Colorado Springs and supports the local community as volunteers for many organizations.

Fil-Am Christmas Party 2007

I found this poem at http://www.xmission.com/~tssphoto/mom/trib.html, a website that has poems and quotes that honor Mothers all over the world. This one is for you, mom!

WONDERFUL MOTHER

God made a wonderful mother,

A mother who never grows old;

He made her smile of the sunshine,

And He moulded her heart of pure gold;

In her eyes He placed bright shining stars,

In her cheeks fair roses you see;

God made a wonderful mother,

And He gave that dear mother to me.

My hope is to be the kind of mother and friend that she has been and continues to be to me--the wonderful mother she has taught me how to be through her example and through her unconditional love. Happy Mother's Day Mom and I wish that I could be there today to spend this special day with you. May you be blessed today and many more years to come!