Mother’s Day, 1993 would be the last Mother’s Day I would spend with my mom. I remember this day vividly because despite being terminally ill, my mom mustered up enough energy to travel across country from California to Washington, D.C. to be with me as I graduated from The George Washington University.

Because I worked at the University, many of my colleagues gave my mom the VIP treatment. Escorting her to the front row where they had a special place for her wheelchair and they continued to check on her throughout the ceremony. I think my mom received more attention from the staff than Hilary Clinton, who was the keynote speaker that year.

To see her daughter graduate with a Master’s degree was a moment of great pride for my mom. As many moms of her generation, my mom never finished college because she got married and had children. Education was always important to her and she made sure my sister and I had every opportunity to go to college.

My mom was always my strongest supporter and advocate. When I was in Junior High, I did not test well on “standardized tests” and my mom fought with the school to allow me to enroll in higher level courses. I am grateful to my mother for continuing to believe in my, even when the school system did not. Had it not been for her perseverance and love for me I may have never gone to college at all.

I am sure she would have given me all the credit for getting my Master’s Degree but I know that I would not have ever been able to accomplish this goal without her motherly influence. I am forever grateful for her love and support. Her strong influence in my life made me who I am today. Her loving spirit will always remain in my heart.