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Ironically, the most significant people in my life are my mother and my daughter, and both for the same reason. My mother nurtured me and molded me into what I and my daughter grew into. What my daughter grew into came as a complete surprise to me. I admire both of them for their commitment to family, their inner strength to love and guide and so many more qualities that I find myself lacking. What I am about to write is not to seek pity or blame but rather to see the strengths that both of these women possess, unfortunately these qualities overlooked me completely and that is the reason I have so much admiration for both of them.

My mother, who is now at the age of 89, was always a strong woman. She had to be to deal with what life handed her. She raised seven children of her own, four grandchildren and then extended our family with many foster and adopted children. This is only a part of what my mother is. Her life was not an easy one as she married a man who provided very little emotionally or financially help. She kept us together and happy, shielding us from the nasty side of life giving us a childhood that has nothing but wonderful memories. My foster and adopted brothers and sisters have the same wonderful memories. It was only after I grew to adulthood that I realized just what my mother had endured.

My mother's strength is incomparable. She still loves children and the light that shines from her eyes on seeing her grandchildren and great grandchildren is priceless. Even the picture of a baby in the newspaper brightens her day, when she reads of some bad incident that involves a child her heart breaks and the tears flow freely. My mother's life was devoted to children and she was the one that raised us with true values such as love, compassion, honesty and the strength to face any situation that arises in our lives, not only face it but overcome it.

I, on the other hand, had one daughter. She was and is the light of our lives but was enough to satisfy the motherly instinct in me. We raised our daughter with the same values my mother had bestowed on me, however as my daughter grew I always thought she would be a child that would always need taking care of. She was to surprise me beyond my wildest dreams.

My daughter eventually married and had to sons. The first boy was mentally challenged. I thought my daughter would crumble under this load, but she blossomed from being dependent to becoming the most independent person I know. Her son's handicap would

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