Happy Birthday Mom!

I'm not even sure where to begin with this post. My mother is an incredible, beautiful, strong, and talented woman. And today is her 55th birthday.

We live far away from each other, and it's been a few years since we've been able to spend her birthday together. As I think about my mom and this past year, what has impressed me the most is her attitude and resilience amidst great challenges.

As I've mentioned before, my mom has suffered with rheumatoid arthritis in 1989. In recent years, her condition has deteriorated and caused her tremendous amounts of pain — so bad some days that she can't even get out of bed. Anyone who knows my mom knows how hardworking she is. You will almost always find her doing something—whether it's working, cooking or baking something for the family, or doing something to help someone else. If she isn't keeping busy, you know something must be wrong.

Despite these challenges, my mom doesn't complain. She doesn't dwell on her misfortune. She never seeks pity or to be taken care of. She is fiercely independent and everything she can do on her own (even if it's very difficult to do) — she absolutely does. And more. I can only imagine how hard it's been as her illness has stopped her from doing the things she enjoys most. Even on her worst days, she maintains a positive attitude. She reassures me that   i t   t o o   s h a l l   p a s s. And quickly she will shift the conversation away from her and ask how I'm doing, as she listens with empathy, never minimalizing my comparatively miniscule problems.

My mom is such an inspiration to me. I hope that she'll be able to keep moving, walking, and working for a long time. But I know that if things don't turn out exactly the way we all hope, that she will be okay. And that she'll be happy. Because happiness is not determined by your circumstances. It's determined by your attitude. Thanks, Mom for being such a wonderful example to me. I love you!