"BecausE YoU LoveD Me" (7/22/14)

For day 2 of my yearly musical challenge, I've decided to go with the Celine Dion classic, "Because You Loved Me." This song is dedicated to my mother, who is the rock of my family. She is stronger than anyone I know and that strength has built me up during some of my most challenging moments in life. I will never forget when one of my most significant trials began with my leg and required surgeries to be performed in an effort to heal my tibia. I distinctly remember the days/weeks/months of recovery after my surgeries; they were brutal to say the least. It was during those times that my mom showed me "tough love" and didn't allow me to pity myself or my situation. Though I didn't clearly see it then, I now know that my mom was doing the best service she could possibly do for me by teaching me to keep moving forward when it was hard to literally get out of bed. She taught me that time should be spent making the most of your life and that pity gets a person nowhere. I'm grateful for that lesson and believe it will stick with me all the days of my life. To my mother- you will never fully know how much I love you and aspire to be the person you are. No matter what happens; no matter if anyone tries to bring you down or diminish that greatness that lies within you, I (along with all of my siblings) will always be there for you as your number one cheerleader. I will never let anyone demean your value and worth, for you have left a lasting imprint on this world. I will do anything for you and truly, the feeling of love I have for you is the product of who you were/are as my mother. "Because you loved me," I am a better person, who will strive to affect people in the same manner you have, during my lifetime.

As Celine so beautifully sang it, so do I, echo her words: "I was blessed because I was loved by you," Mom.