For my mom:
At 17 years old, a young girl lost both of her parents.
Life in Ecuador was as difficult as they come. Pained with the loss of the two most important figures in her life, in a country she perceived that left her desolate, she made the choice to get away. With nothing but sheer will and determination, she came to the United States. Facing the challenges of a language barrier, near death experiences and a broken marriage, she fought on. It was apparent that, along with these hardships, this new home carried with it something else she hadn't experienced in a long while: hope. Today she owns her own business with the wonderful man she made a new life with.
This young woman maintained a sense of humor, optimism, and poise throughout the tumultuous ride called life. Her friends call her "Mireya la mas Bella" which means "Mireya the most beautiful" as a teaser to the sort of charisma and presence she brings with her upon entering a room. This woman is my mother. She is the strongest woman I know. And for these and many other reasons, I adore her.
My mom has always been a source of strength in my life. I have seen her fight the fiercest battles with a confidence unmatched. As much as she is known for her strong will, everyone who gets to meet her also knows her for the love she has for her children, a love that knows no bounds. We were raised without a shortage of warmth and love in our home. My mom fought to provide a life better than the one she had known.
Safety and education were among the top priorities. And despite what she taught with words, we mostly learned by her example. She did not hesitate to give selflessly, providing a helping hand to many friends and family members in need. So much of who she is has shaped who I am today. My mom is hilarious, sharp, impulsive, supportive, and bold. It is not her perfection but her imperfections that I treasure. They make her unique. She really is like no other. And she is the closest thing I have to unconditional love in this broken world. So on this day and all other days, I am proud to call her "mom."
Some of the scriptures that remind me of God's unconditional love like the one she has shown:
"We love because he first loved us" -- 1 John 4:19
"Can a mother forget her nursing child? Can she feel no love for the child she has borne? But even if that were possible, I would not forget you!" -- Isaiah 49:15 (NLT)
Denisse is a member of the San Fernando Valley sector of the North Region of the Los Angeles International Church of Christ.
