Growing up, I had a very happy, loving childhood. I had a loving, supportive family and anything I needed to truly be happy.

The one thing that I felt set me apart from many other children, though, was I had a mom who stayed at home to raise my brother and me. She would play with us, take us many places, and she would help us learn and experience many things we may not have been able to otherwise. She always did so much for my dad, brother and me to ensure our happiness. I truly had a precious gift that I never really fully came to appreciate until I began to get older.

My mom, Cindy, is one of those people who will do anything for anyone. She is one of the kindest, sweetest people you will ever meet.

You can always tell my mom’s presence by her kind, enthusiastic voice, her laugh and that gleaming, contagious smile she always wears. She has always taught me to never judge people and to always see the best in everyone.

Sometimes I have thought she is too optimistic, but I really wonder if you really can be too optimistic? The way she lives her life is something very inspiring to me, and reminds me a lot of the way my grandma, Mary, has always lived her life for others.

They both are true inspirations to me, and people I will always look up to for their undying faith and willingness to put other people before themselves.

My mom has always been a great source of support for me, but I truly realized this when I started a new part of my life with college.

My mom and I always have a had a close, special bond, but I never knew that leaving for college would be so hard. However, she gave me the strength and courage to want to always keep going and try new things.

When I was at college, I began to feel a great sense of independence, but at the same time I relied on my mom and dad even more. I leaned on them for emotional and physical support, as well as financial support. I truly don’t know what I would do without them in my life. If I didn’t have either of them, I don’t know if I would have the drive or capability to be able to fulfill my greatest ambitions and dreams.

Although my mom and I have had out disagreements, which I hate to admit that most of the time my mom ends up being right about, but I always seem to learn something from whatever the disagreement is about.

It took me awhile to realize that all my mom wants is what is best for me, and that she it trying to make my life easier, not harder. I am so glad that I have learned this by now, and know to always hold out relationship close to my heart.

My mom is a person who I will never be able to thank enough for all the things she has done in my life to help make me a better person and the person I am today.

I love you to the sky and back, Mom. Always!

Emily Bodensteiner is a sophomore at the College of St. Catherine in St. Paul. She is studying elementary education.