My mom, my friend

I would be completely lost without my mom.

She worked as a CNA for my entire childhood. Taking care of people in a nursing home, then coming home to take care of me and my father. I have the utmost respect for her. She was diagnosed with Diabetes when I was about 12. I hadn't known that someone could develop Diabetes at around 30 years old. It quickly escalated to her needing to take 3 shots of insulin per day. She has always hated needles, but then was forced to poke her fingers and give herself shots to survive. She took it all in stride and I am constantly amazed at what a strong woman she is.

She ended up getting kidney stonesa couple years ago and hospitalized for 2 weeks. Her kidney almost ruptured. I was so afraid that I'd lose her. She ended up getting nerve damage in her legs and feet from being bed ridden for so long as many diabetics do.

After she got out of the hospital, we found out that my daughter was on her way. I was actually pregnant when she went in for surgery. When my daughter was born, my mom convinced my dad to move out here to Ohio so she could watch my daughter while I return to work. That was 19 months ago and they still live with us because they can't afford their own place.

I'm so grateful that she wanted to pick up and move from everything she's ever known to come babysit for me. My mom is my best friend. We go shopping together. We go for walks together. We just enjoy each other's company. I'm so glad she's here to watch my daughter grow and I can only pray that my daughter and I have this good of a relationship as she grows. If I would win this, I would definately give it to my mom. She deserves to be pampered.