biggest influence growing up

quite easily, the person who influenced me the most growing up has been my mom. she stayed home with us kids when we were little, and she was always there when i needed her. she could run the house with one hand tied behind her back, and she still had time left to have fun with us. and as i got into junior high & high school, she was clearly the 'cool mom' that most of my friends envied. she helped us plan pranks and whipped up mean chocolate chip cookies. and through it all she taught me how to love, how to be gentle with people, how to be responsible for my own actions. she's taught me that friends are important and family needs to be held close. she's taught me to celebrate the triumphs and cry at the defeats. and then to get up and try again. she's always believed in me, even when i've been convinced there was nothing in which to believe.

i haven't yet caught onto the depths of her patience ... but if i can grow up to be half the woman she is? i'll be doing pretty good.

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