2024 WOW MOM WARRIOR

Author's Note:

Dear Readers,

In these pages, you'll discover extraordinary mothers. Each person ' s experience with their mother, grandmother, or a mother figure who influenced them is unique In fact, several highlighted in this issue have been inspired by their own daughter or daughter-in-law

Enjoy these captivating narratives within the 2nd annual edition of WOW MOM WARRIOR magazine May these stories bring you joy as you read about these remarkable mothers The concept behind WOW MOM is that WOW represents Woman Of Worth, and MOM stands for Mover Of Mountains. Indeed, most mothers would move mountains for their loved ones, especially those celebrated here.

These writers have chosen to spotlight someone significant in their lives, publicly acknowledging the positive impact these individuals have had. I'm personally sharing the story of my own daughter Elizabeth in my piece.

Please understand that each writer has taken great care to honor someone they deeply cherish and hold close to their heart. We hope you enjoy celebrating our WOW MOM’s as much as we enjoyed celebrating them!

Sherri

Youare

My Sunshine...

Written by: Sherri Leopold

Do you know what the MOST Proud MOM moment you can have is?

It's when you see your own daughter being the most amazing MOM ever!

When we found out we were pregnant after having 2 boys, I so hoped for a girl. We were so blessed when Elizabeth Ann Leopold was born. Even as a baby she was happy and bubbly. She had her Daddy wrapped around her finger and still does today.

Elizabeth has always been loving and compassionate. She would always be the one to stick up for another person. It's one of the things I love about her. She is a truly heart centered leader as a result. As a Clinical Director at an Autism Clinic, compassion is required. She shows this at work very often when she has to have hard conversations with parents or staff.

She is amazing at looking at situations from all viewpoints and approaching in a way that everyone feels understood. It’s definitely one of things I most admire about her as a person. She has also helped me become more aware of the fact that my perspective isn't the only one that is important. Her compassion has led to a cat or two through the years as well!

I always say that one of the things that I love about my kids is that I love them and I’d be friends with them even if they weren't my kids because they are great humans.

Elizabeth embodies all the qualities that make a great friend, co-worker and especially a Mom.

I have enjoyed watching her grow as a Mom and teach Ivy the things I taught her. I absolutely love watching her read to her and sing to her. Even as a working Mom- she is very present with her.

Time is one of the things you can never get back and it's so important how we spend it. It is a true joy seeing her spend it with Ivy. She is teaching her manners, and kindness and those are lifelong gifts. She is also teaching her about love.

Expressing love with her words, with physical touch and actions, love is being taught and passed down.

This not only makes me proud as a MOM, but grateful that she embraced that for herself and is now able to teach it as a result.

Many claim she is my mini me- I think she is a better version of me. She is accomplishing so much professionally and as a woman of worth. She is a role model for all women who want to successfully navigate marriage, family and a career.

Ivy starts crying for whatever reason and Elizabeth starts to sing...

You are my sunshine, my only sunshine..

You make me happy when skies are gray. You’ll never know dear, how much I love you, Please don’t take my sunshine away!

She sings the song I sang to her when she was little… I melt every time I hear it. Without saying a word, I know what it meant to hercomfort, security and love.

Hearing her singing it to Ivy is one of the most amazing things I've ever had the good fortune to hear!

Elizabeth may not feel like she has it all togetherbut together she really does have it all!

I am so proud of the Mom you are Elizabeth Leopold Sullivan and even more proud to be YOUR Mom!

I CALL HER MY DAUGHTER-IN-LOVE!

Written by: Teresa Cundiff

Labout the most amazing young woman! et me tell you

I call her my daughter-in-love because that’s the perfect descriptor for who she is to me.

I hardly know which trait to speak about first. She has been a blessing to our family from the moment she became part of it as “The One” when she and John, our oldest, began dating. Her name is Madison Cundiff, but we affectionately call her Maddie.

She has great faith in our Lord Jesus and is bold about it.

And prayers for the parents who were raising her.

You see, I didn’t know who John would marry, but God did, and that was all that I needed to know to have peace about his future wife.

If my son has married a woman who is like his mother, I am honored indeed!

Maddie was prepared to be an Army wife.

John was commissioned in the US Army and going through his schooling at Ft Benning, GA. Things took a turn when John injured his back on an Airborne School jump.

The die was cast, and his career was over before it had even started. Being a military spouse is not for the faint of heart, but she was ready to join the ranks because of her love for our son.

Maddie is the perfect woman for our son! She keeps in him check when necessary but also doesn’t impose impossible demands upon him.

She is so thoughtful and kind. She is compassionate, hardworking, understanding and a great human!

She has a friend circle of young women who are devoted to each other.

Her very best friend from high school made a scrapbook for Maddie on the occasion of her 30th birthday.

It was such a thoughtful thing to do which demonstrates how much Maddie is loved by others.

Two years ago, she blessed our family with the birth of the first grandbaby on both sides. His name is Callum Lee, and he is amazing!! Maddie is the most loving and caring mom. She adores Cal and demonstrates that every day. She and John both work from home, so they are a full-time family. They work in concert to raise this precious little boy. She is a wonderful cook and has Cal in his observation tower when she is working in the kitchen to teach him.

Maddie wrote a letter to her future husband when she was 15 years old as an assignment from her Sunday school teacher.

She has been praying for her future husband for years. That speaks volumes about her dedication to her marriage even at such a young age!

She yearned to have four children because all she has ever really wanted is to be a mom. She is well loved and brilliant at her job, but her true heart is in her home. Our family is so blessed by my daughter-in-love!

Author

Teresa Cundiff

Teresa is a Regional Director and Benefaction Precept with Givers University. She has authored 20 #1 best selling books. Teresa loves the theater and loves to sing and act. She is a professional proof reader and an amazingWOWMOMherself.

The healing power of forgiveness begins with forgiving yourself.

Written by: Maureen Gaetz-Faubert

for years and developed a severe case of Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) problems.

At 24 years old the x-ray showed the left TMJ joint had arthritis comparable to someone who was in their 70’s!

In Louise Hay’s book, “You Can Heal Your Life” she has a list that includes the Problem, Probably Cause and the New Thought Pattern.

PROBLEM

PROBABLE CAUSE NEW PROJECTS

The dis-ease of TMJ started when I was very young. What started to create the disease is the anger I held toward my mom.

TMJ Anger, resentment, desire for revenge I am willing to change the Patterns in me that created this condition I love and approve of myself I am safe I desired a relationship with my mom, to have conversations and become best friends.

I resented my mom for many years. My mom criticized my body, my friends and my intelligence. It felt like I was not heard or validated. So I sought revenge and treated my mom with disrespect and disdain. I was always on the defensive in attempt to ensure that I wouldn’t be hurt anymore.

I came to realize that mom was not able to connect with others or me on a level that would create closeness or openness. My mom was afraid people would hurt her. So she put up barriers on all her relationships and held them at arms length. I didn’t realize it at the time that my moms ’ criticism of me was a direct reflection of herself.

My mom has since passed. For the last six months of her life I was her advocate, I ensured that all her physical needs were met. My mom was diagnosed with dementia. She had been having mini strokes for over 10 years and her brain had begun to shrink. She also had water between her left and right brain. As a result, her communication at times was incomprehensible. At this time I was taking my third communication course and one of the modules was to learn how to communicate differently with someone.

I CHOOSE MY MOM.

Changing my communication method with my mom taught me compassion for the person my mom once was. I learned to appreciate her and understand her more than I ever had in my lifetime. I was beside her until she took her last breath. It was an honour to experience. I feel so blessed to finally receive the validation from my mom. She passed away on my birthday at 7:00pm and who also had given birth to me at 7:00am on that same day 58 years earlier. I had missed it and now realize that my mom was my best friend.

We would shop together, bake and cook together. Play cards and laugh together and so many other things together. I miss her each and every day. I miss her phones calls, there were many.

My mom was lucid at times before she passed. I did tell her that she was an amazing mom and thanked her for everything she did for me and how I appreciated her. This opened a door for her to apologize to dad for all the things she regretted in their relationship.

I now understand what it feels like to hold onto unforgiveness. It affects the whole body, mind and spirit. It takes over your whole being and you become self-absorbed with the issue. You blame everyone and everything else for the problem(s) in your life.

I use several methods of forgiving.

I have at times written letters. I didn’t send them, instead I tore them up and said; “I forgive me, I forgive you and set us free.” Other times I just let it go from within myself. I don’t forget the experience I see each experience as a lesson. Forgiveness has taught me how gain a more in-depth understanding of myself and taught me to set healthy boundaries.

What I discovered when I forgive myself and others is the feeling of releasing a 1000lbs of weight off my shoulders and then I experience freedom. I create space for growth.

I have come to learn that each person

is a reflection of me

loving, compassionate, passionate, goodness, etc. and in other areas where work still needs to be done. I have become open to seeing what triggers I feel in others. This gives me the opportunity to change and continue to heal my life. I now celebrate and have appreciation for the beauty I see in others.

One of the most valuable lessons I have learned is to forgive, love and approve of myself. This gives me the ability to do the same for others.

MAUREEN

an internationally Certified and Licensed Heal Your Life® Coach and Workshop Teacher. Maureen is passionate about healing from dis-ease. Her near-death and spiritual experience gave Maureen the understanding that healing happens on many levels. She embraces a wholelistic approach to health. As a Certified Emotional Intelligence Practitioner,andEmotionalEnergyHealer,Maureenunderstandshow theenergyofstuckemotionsaffectshealthandthebody.

THEPOWEROF AMOTHER’S

Written by: Mary Elizabeth Jackson

I was once told that the most powerful thing a woman can do is to bring a child into this world, love them, and raise them up to be an incredible being. Those words have stayed with me throughout my motherhood journey. At first, I was like, that doesn’t sound like the most powerful thing a woman can do. Where is the power in that? I didn’t know the depth that I would experience in this life. The truth of those words has a more significant meaning to me now that I am in my twenty-fourth year of parenting than when I first heard them.

Mother’s Day is nearly upon us and while this is reserved for moms and all that resembles a mom, the meaning of that word means so much more. There is incredible power in being a mother and carrying that title in life. In this, Mother’s Day special, I want to honor all mothers and the power of a mother's love. No boundaries define the places this kind of love goes or the strength it carries with it.

We do not know what parenting will be like in the beginning or any tragedies or traumas any of us or our children may endure.

I want to honor and hold a light to all the women now and in our past that have loved, endured, sacrificed, overcome, and survived motherhood. Taking on the role of a mother in life requires skills most of us have no prior training for—we gain it while on the job. Mothering is not for the faint of heart and you can’t quit. Quitting is not an option. At least it never has been for me.

The women who have come before us have endured hardships and events, some of which we will never know or be able to understand. But we have compassion, sympathy, and empathy for them. My great grandmother gave birth to her eleventh child at fifty and a few of them did not survive. Just imagine being the oldest daughter of those eleven children on a farm and having to nurse your youngest sibling because your mother is fifty and has no breast milk. She had to nurse her baby sister along with her own children. My grandmother (she was one of the eleven children) died when my mom was only five months old. She left my mom in

LoveLivesHere... LoveLivesHere... LoveLivesHere...

Our love for our children is so strong and science believes that is because some of the DNA of our children remains inside of us for many years after our children are born. No other connection in life is as powerful as the bond between a mother and her child.

On my journey, one of my children was abused at the hands of someone in a public school.

There are no words to describe what that was and has been like in my life and the life of my child and for our whole family. But our role and instinct as mothers is to protect our babies, no matter what.

A power rose within me unlike any I have ever experienced and pulled me forward to right that wrong. And sometimes in life things happen we can’t control, but our love can heal and reach even the darkest places a path goes.

The power of a mother's love carries the world on its shoulders. Since the beginning of time, women have endured, loved, and used their hearts to heal and guide those they love.

Mother Mary expressed her power and has been a symbol and teacher of true motherly love for her child to each one of us. There is grace, beauty, strength, and pain that make up the experience of a mother’s love. A gift that is beyond anything any of us ever dreamed of or imagined in our lives.

Mary Elizabeth Mary Elizabeth Jackson Jackson

Author,CertifiedSpecialNeedsandDisabilityAdvocate, LiveStreamer,Speaker,Educator,Ghostwriter,songwriter E&LPublishingASCAP,ManagerSistersJMusic co-founder/hostWritersCornerLiveTVShow co-founder/hostSpecialNeedsTVShow HostCovertoCoverPodcast,AmbassadorAdvocateAutismTn& AdvisorforGlobalBillion-Strong

Apassionateaboutadvocacy,education,andcreativity.Asanaward-winning authorandcertifiedSpecialNeedsandDisabilityadvocate,Maryleveragesher personalexperienceasamotherofthree,includingtwoonthespectrum,to empowerandsupportfamiliesandindividualsfacingsimilarchallenges.

Withadiverseskillsetthatincludespodcasting,livestreaming,co-hostingtwo shows,speaking,educating,ghostwriting,andsongwriting,Marybringsa uniqueperspectivetoeveryproject.

AstheownerofE&LPublishingandthemanagerofSistersJMusic,Maryis dedicatedtousinghertalentstopromotepositivechangeandamplify underrepresentedvoices.

The Unbreakable Bonds of Motherhood:

Lessons Learned and Love Shared

Written by: Kohila Sivas

As Mother's Day approaches, I find myself reflecting on the profound connection I share with my son, a bond that I believe was forged during those precious first five years we spent together. We immersed ourselves in a world of Lego creations, toy cars and trucks, watching Finding Nemo for the 500th time, and adventurous outings. Through his eyes, I rediscovered the joy of play, even at the age of 32, and together, we embraced a life filled with boundless exploration.

IN TODAY'S SOCIETY

Mothers often face immense pressure to prioritize career advancement or return to work shortly after giving birth. I, too, felt these pressures as a new mother. However, deep within my heart, I knew that nurturing my relationship with my son was my most important duty. Those early years laid the foundation for a love and bond that I cherish to this day—a treasure that is as timeless as it is priceless.

Now that my son is 17, I look back on those formative years with immense gratitude. They were not just moments of play but essential building blocks of our enduring love and understanding. It's a testament to the power of time spent together, free from distractions and societal demands, that cements the bonds between a mother and her child.

REFLECTINGONMYOWN MOTHER'SINFLUENCE

I realize the profound lessons she imparted. She taught me the true meaning of love and sacrifice, instilling in me a sense of selflessness and a spirit of giving and service. However, she also showed me the importance of finding balance, as I witnessed firsthand the challenges she faced by prioritizing others above herself. Her life became a roadmap of what to emulate and what to avoid, shaping my own journey as a mother.

The relationships we share with our mothers are irreplaceable and incomparable. They are sources of wisdom, strength, and unconditional love. As I watch my aging mother-in-law transition to supported living, I am reminded once again of the cycles of life and the roles we play in each other's lives.

Whatbringsmeimmensejoy andadmiration

Is witnessing my husband, her son, take on the role of caregiver with unwavering dedication. As her health declines, he steps into the role of nurturer, providing comfort and care with a tenderness that is both beautiful and inspiring. From soothing her in the middle of the night to assisting her with daily tasks, his love knows no bounds. These moments of care and attention speak volumes about the beauty of love and the strength of familial bonds. It's in these small gestures, the quiet moments of understanding and support, that the true essence of the bond between my husband and his mother shines.

Motherhood is not just about giving birth; it's about nurturing, guiding, and cherishing the lives entrusted to us. It's about the countless lessons learned, the sacrifices made, and the immeasurable love shared.

If you are a new mom, embrace your role with love and devotion, for it is this bond that will sustain you in the years to come. As we age, we look to our children for visits and words of love, just as I now witness with my motherin-law. The love we invest in our children returns to us when we need it most.

This Mother's Day, let us celebrate the special bond between mothers and children a bond that transcends time and distance, a bond that shapes us and defines us in ways words can scarcely capture.

“Motherhood is the heartbeat of life, where love's rhythm is felt in every moment, from the first breath to the last embrace” Kohila Sivas

KohilaSivas

WARRIOR W W Columnist

MISTEEMCABEE

A Single Mother's Triumph

Written by:LaDonna McAbee

As Mother’s Day approaches, we turn our attention to a remarkable story of resilience, love, and determination embodied by Mistee McAbee, a devoted single mother to two wonderful teenagers, Seth and Tyler Scoggins.

Mistee’s journey is not just a tale of motherhood but a testament to the power of unwavering dedication and hard work.

Growing up without a father figure, Seth and Tyler learned the essence of perseverance from the most influential woman in their lives: their mother. Mistee has not only filled their home with love and care but also instilled a sense of responsibility and the importance of making sound choices in her sons.

Mistee’s daily life revolves around a meticulously planned budget that ensures her sons have everything they need from a comfortable home and reliable cars to drive, to stylish clothes that don’t scream thrift. Despite the long hours and sometimes juggling two jobs, Mistee’s priority has always been to provide for her boys without compromise.

But Mistee’s role goes beyond just meeting physical needs.

She is exceptionally open with her sons, guiding them through life’s challenges with a gentle yet firm hand. Her ability to make a dime stretch to a dollar is not just

about financial savvy but a broader lesson in resourcefulness and resilience.

It’s a skill she’s impressively passed down to her boys, who are growing into young men who appreciate the value of hard work and the importance of standing firm even when the odds are stacked against them.

The fruits of her labor are evident as both Seth and Tyler have grown into thoughtful, observant teenagers who not only recognize but appreciate the sacrifices their mother makes every day.

They see the long hours and know the weight of the responsibility Mistee carries, fostering a deepseated respect for her and the principles she upholds.

Her journey is a beacon of hope and a blueprint for her sons, showing that progress is possible, step by step, no matter the obstacles.

As a proud grandmother, I watch Mistee with awe and immense pride. She has blossomed into a formidable woman who stands tall against adversity, demonstrating that with grit and grace, one can indeed stand on their own two feet.

This Mother’s Day, we celebrate Mistee McAbee not just for her role as a mother but as a pillar of strength and an exemplar of what it means to take life’s challenges head-on.

Her story is one of a kind, not because of its uniqueness but because of its authenticit and the universal truth that dedication and love can indeed move mountains.

To Mistee, Seth, and Tyler—your journey continues to inspire those around you, and your story is a reminder of the incredible impact of a mother’s love and the enduring spirit of family.

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Kristee PELTIER I

honor YOU!

Mother’s Day is a special occasion to honor the strength, love, and spirit of mothers everywhere.

Among these incredible women stands Kristee Peltier, a shining example of resilience and unwavering commitment to her family.

Kristee’s journey into motherhood began early with her daughter, Eryan McAbee-Hickey. As a young and nearly single mother, Kristee faced numerous challenges but met each with a strength that defines her character.

Her early years with Eryan were a testament to her determination to provide not just the necessities but the finer things in life, ensuring that her daughter felt loved and valued.

k a turn when ather became a rt of her life, Kristee and her James Peltier to d explore new f themselves.

loving parents on, Bryson

With James, Kristee found not just a partner but a true supporter who helped her navigate the complexities of coparenting and personal growth. Their son Bryson brought new joy to their lives, enriching their family dynamic and solidifying their bonds.

Kristee embodies the spirit of a ‘super mom ’ , always pushing forward, no matter the obstacles. Her will to provide the best for her children and ensure their happiness and success is unwavering.

Her story is not just one of motherhood, but of a powerful woman shaping her destiny with grace and fierce determination.

This Mother’s Day, we celebrate Kristee Peltier, a remarkable woman whose love and strength inspire all who know her. Kristee, thank you for being a beacon of resilience, love, and unwavering dedication.

LaDonna MCABEE

M O T H E R ’ S D A Y

I S E V E R Y D A Y

Written by: Dr. Patricia Rogers

Moms are superheroes and biggest supporters, of our children.

Mother’s Day is everyday! Let that sink in! Others may NOT think-so, but for the work that we put in, to make sure that those around us are taken care of, we often forget how valuable we are!

Recently, I was overwhelmed with the things that were on my todo list, and when my son called and insisted on coming by, I stopped what I was working on, and I welcomed the opportunity!

I had no idea that they were coming by with a nice gift and just to say “We love you!”

Another instance, is whenever I travel out of town, my daughter Monica, always insist on taking me to the airport rather than for me to catch Uber.

These are the moments that I realized that my labor as a mother has not been in vain!

Mother’s Day is Everyday!

Lifeissoworth livingwhenwe arerecognized forthehard workthatwedo toserveothers, butmost importantly,is whenour children recognizesusby remembering thatwewith God’shelp,built thebridgesthat broughtthem over.

THE LEGACY OF A SELFLESS HEART

CELEBRATING MY MOM

Written by: Sally Larkin Green

My mom, Florence, was the epitome of selflessness and was a beacon of love and dedication to our family. From my earliest memories, she was always giving, teaching by example, and had a heart of gold. Her life was a profound lesson in putting others first, a practice she upheld even to the detriment of her health and needs.

Growing up under her nurturing presence, I learned invaluable skills that have enriched my life. She was my first teacher in the arts of sewing and painting, a creative presence who could design beautiful handmade gifts from bare materials.

Mom loved inviting everyone over for coffee, snacks, and meals. She shined whenever any company came over. I can still picture her in the kitchen, a steaming cup of coffee in hand, her laughter, and the aroma of baked ziti in the oven. Whenever you called her, she would say, "What are you doing? Come on over. " Her phone calls with me each morning, were my daily dose of home, filled with stories, updates, and her latest antics.

HER KITCHEN WAS ANOTHER CLASSROOM WHERE I LEARNED THE ART OF HOSTESSING.

However, while she was taking care of everyone else, she often neglected herself. This came at a personal cost in 2019 when she was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. This horrible disease has slowly erased the vibrant woman she once was. Recently, in April of 2024, I signed the papers for hospice care, a step both heartbreaking and necessary.

It's been an emotional rollercoaster watching the steady decline of someone who was once your cornerstone. Now, she is here in body, but her spirit seems far away, lost to a disease that shows no mercy.

This experience has taught me a crucial lesson about self-care.

Mother's Day has been bittersweet these past few years. It's a reminder of what I’ve lost, but also of all that I have been blessed with. This year I will take time for reflection and cherishing the memories of a mom who shaped our family with every stitch, every phone call, and every meal.

My mom gave endlessly, often neglecting her own needs until she had nothing left to give. Her journey has shown me the importance of balance, of caring for oneself even as we care for others. It’s a lesson I wish she had embraced for herself sooner.

As I navigate this difficult time, I hold onto the lessons she taught through her actions and her sacrifices. My mom ’ s legacy is not only in what she did for me but also in the wisdom she imparted: to love fiercely and to show kindness in all you do.

I am grateful for every moment I shared with her, for every lesson she taught, and for the love she gave so freely.

SALLYGREEN

InspirationalSpeaker, Amultiple-timesInternationalBestsellingAuthor VicePresidentofAuthorDevelopmentatActionTakersPublishingWorkswithwritersto helpthemdeveloptheirstoriesandbecomeBestsellingauthors.

This Mother's Day, like every day, I celebrate my mom, a true self-care rockstar in her own right, whose light continues to guide me.

CELEBRATING MY MUM!

Written by: Jacalyn Price

My Mum Valerie Price was born on the 5th of September 1934 and

passed on the 27th of August 2019.

Mum was my mentor, my best friend and now she’s my guardian Angel.

Mum was one of six children and the third eldest. As a young girl she lived in the country as her dad Melville, worked on the railway. They had their own vegetable garden and cooks as well. She walked most places -even to school.

Her mum Alice was a great cook and loved to sew. She passed these skills onto mum. Even at a young age my mum was cooking and sewing. Her mum Alice had a singer treadle sewing machine. Later on, they moved to the city. Her dad Melville, was still working on the railway. Mum used to ride her push bike to work at the sewing factory. She never got her drivers license until she was in her 40s.

Mum used to make all our clothes for home, school, and Sunday school. Mum had a sewing machine and an overlocker.

Valerie

I was given a walking bride doll for my 4th birthday! Mum made the brides clothes including the veil. I still have it now, although it is 67 years old now. It has the original clothes on her my Mum made. I showed my niece Hayley who is 13 now. She asked her name; I said I couldn't remember. She said let's call her Valerie after my Mum. Yes, perfect; very touching and fitting.

Mum was always busy knitting crocheting and making gifts for us. The grandchildren and then the great grandchildren were recipients. She could put her hand in or on anything. If I found something different at markets and brought it back she would make it her own and create them as gifts for birthdays and Christmas. Mum loved to cook as well. There was nothing she couldn't cook! She loved baking, including wedding cakes for family and friends. She passed a lot of these skills onto her granddaughter Hayley.

Her Beautiful Creations!

Mum had many health challenges during her lifetime.mshe suffered from asthma and had many strokes. She was in her early 40's the first time her leg went numb. She fully recovered from this using sheer willpower, as there were still children to look after. Dad worked full time. Once I called her and she had trouble going from the chair to stand up and kept falling back. I took her to the doctors. She had a cerebellar stroke and spent five weeks in hospital.

Another time while watching TV, her eye was going blurry. By morning she couldn't see out of it. Off to the GP and then the specialist. She had a bleed behind her eye. She never got her sight back in that eye. The challenge now was to do things with one eye. That didnt stop her- she battled on. However, her sewing, knitting and crocheting suffered. It was too hard to focus on it. This upset her a lot as she loved to sew and crochet. I had personal care aids coming to assist for many years to make it easier for Mum. She kept up with her cooking, making birthday cakes and decorating them. Mum taught us to be strong! Fight to have a go at anything and to never give up when facing challenges; mum never did.

Mum's last stroke was in 2019 she woke up about 3:00 AM to go to the bathroom and couldn't put weight in her leg so she crawled there and back and rang me at 6:00 AM. She said I don't feel well. I said, “Do you want me to call the ambulance?” she said yes. I called the ambulance. I was still recovering from my own surgery on my arm, so I called my brother Graham. He picked me up and we went to Mum’s about 5 kilometres away. By the time we got there, the ambulance was there. Mum's leg was now completely numb and had trouble talking. There were three ambulances there in the end to put her onto a special sheet to carry her out of the house and into the ambulance to go to hospital. I rang the family and let them know. My brother Darryl called in to pick me up to go to the hospital. Graham had to go to work.

Mum’s stroke was severe, she couldn't swallow without it going into her lungs. She was tube fed through her nose and later through her stomach. She had trouble dealing with not being able to eat properly. She especially missed her chocolate which she loved.

I said imagine it's chocolate in the drip. Eventually the feeling came back in Mum’s leg and she was able to walk a bit. They sent her to rehab but the fluid would feed back up into the lungs.

They sent her to rehab but the fluid would build back up into the lungs and she'd get pneumonia again. This happened a few times.

Dad had trouble dealing with this because she was sleeping a lot. They would sit and hold hands and fall asleep. I had another operation on my right arm, an elbow replacement and was in rehab so the taxi would pick me up from rehab, we stop and pick Dad up at home and go to the hospital to see Mum. Mum had ten weeks in hospital, then she had pneumonia again. her quality of life was deteriorating. The doctor called in palliative care. We had a family meeting. Mum said she had had enough. They started morphine to assist. She passed away that night. a blessing for mum. She didn't like having no quality of life.

They were married 67 years.

We had a celebration of life for Mum. Her favourite colour was green. We all wore something green at the funeral. We even sprayed our hair. She loved her chocolate so we all held a chocolate up in the air during the service. This is for Val; this is one of the carers/aids ideas. Everybody thought it was great to celebrate Mum this way.

We left all of Mum's ornaments and trinkets in the house. She loved all of this. it wasn't until Dad had to go into care last year we had to sort it out. Everyone had something to remember Mum by.

Forever in our hearts... greatly loved and missed.

My Guardian Angel Mum,84 years young and a beautiful soul that I miss daily!

WOW! YOUARE AN UNREPEATABLE MIRACLE!

WARRIOR

MAGAZINE

Teresa Cundiff

CONTRIBUTORS

ICallhermyDaughter-In-Love

Maureen Gaetz-Faubert

Forgiveness

Kohila Sivas

Theunbreakablebondsofmotherhood: LessonLearned&LoveShared

Mary Elizabeth Jackson

The Power Of Mother‘s Love

LaDonnaMcAbee

MisteeMcabee: ASingleMotherTriumph

Legacy Of Selfless Heart: Celebrating My Mom