60 years of resilience
Today, I honor a woman who has been the cornerstone of my life and the primary reason I became a therapist—my Mama. On her 60th birthday, I find myself reflecting on the journey we’ve shared and the incredible impact she has had on shaping who I am, not just as a person but unknowingly as a professional as well.
Growing up, I was always curious about who my Mama was beyond the opinions of others, beyond the protective demeanor and the direct attitude she so often displayed. There was a depth to her that intrigued me, a complexity that I wanted to understand. It’s that curiosity that led me to the path of becoming a therapist. I wanted to uncover the layers of people’s stories, to see who they were beneath the surface—just as I wanted to understand my Mama.
My mama has always had a deep care for others, a trait I like to think I inherited partly from her. She’s the kind of person who would give the shirt off her back to someone in need but also push you to take control of your circumstances. Her playful spirit, which often caught me off guard as a child, is something I cherish deeply now. It’s that playful spirit that keeps her young, that reminds me to find joy even amid life’s challenges.
And then there’s her direct demeanor. Some might have found it intimidating, but I always saw it as one of her strengths. She spoke her mind, stood her ground, and never hesitated to challenge the BS when she saw it. That’s something I’m still working on—learning to speak up boldly and assert myself the way she does. Man. Her confidence is something else, and it’s something I hope to fully embody one day.
But it wasn’t always easy to understand her. As a child, I often felt angry and confused watching her fight so many battles in life. It seemed like life just wouldn’t give her a break. Yet, through all the trials, she never quit. My oldest brother and I were just talking about her will to live and how it’s probably the very thing that’s kept her alive to this day. “A walking miracle,” the doctors have called her, and I couldn’t agree more. It’s also a testament to her unwavering faith in God, another source of inspiration for me. A faith that has carried her through the darkest of times, a faith that, if I’m being honest, I sometimes struggle to fully grasp. But it’s real, and it’s powerful, and it’s something that I admire deeply in her. It’s the kind of faith that moves mountains, that challenges me to believe in the impossible.
So, on this milestone birthday, I want to celebrate not just my Mama, but the woman who has fought, loved, and lived with an intensity that has left an indelible mark on everyone she meets. She is a force of nature, a woman who has taught me more about life, love, and resilience than I could have ever imagined.
Mama, you are my reason FOR and my reason WHY. The reason I strive every day to understand and be of service to others. I hope to continue learning from you, to one day embody the confidence, boldness, and faith that you live out every single day. Here’s to many more years of your wisdom, your laughter, and your unstoppable spirit. Happy 60th birthday mama—you truly are a walking miracle.
