Also, I want to give a HUGE shout out to the two MOST important Mother's in my life today this Mother's Day, My Mother & Grandmother. Some how, some way, these two indescribably incredible women have managed to play the role of Mother, Father-Figure, Grandmother, Role Model, and my best friends wrapped into two unbelievably special women. They have spent Seventeen years doing the hardest job on this planet, being a Mother. A 24/7/365 job with no days off & no pay, but somehow have managed to keep there heads up, feet on the ground, & lots of love in there hearts. They have worked tirelessly and selflessly to insure that the lives of not only my siblings and I's life, but everybody who surrounds them lives are filled with happiness, laughter, love, everything we could possibly need, and most of what we want. For as long as I can remember that have solely concerned with improving our lives by fifty percent over their own. Whenever some sort of a tragedy has occurred, they have always pulled through just so we could pull through. They have shattered stereotypes and broken new ground on Parenting in my opinion by allowing us to become our own people, with our own likes, dislikes, interests, hobbies, views, beliefs and opinions on any and every subject without forcing their own upon us and molding us into what they believe we should be. Although this had gotten (mostly me) into some trouble here and there, I am so thankful for the way that I was raised and the support system that I have thanks to these two. They haven't picked me up every time I've fallen, instead; they have allowed me to make my own mistakes, learn my own lessons, experience my own trials & tribulations. They've let me fail and succeed on my own, because they saw more strength in me than I saw in myself. They know that I won't be able to walk through life holding their hands forever, and they want to insure that when that time comes I'll be ready to take care of myself with the dignity, respect, maturity and intelligence to make serious decisions on my own, and succeed overall in life without needing or wanting the guidance of others. My mother never hit me, she never demanded my unquestioning silence, never withheld, sugar coated, or exaggerated the truth about anything I've ever wanted to know; no matter how hurtful or disappointing it may be. I've watched these two walk a tight rope between tradition and progress, on the few times that they haven't succeed, I've only seen them accept it, correct it, and continue on with amazing stride and dignity. Through watching this, I truly understand that with anything, everything I do in life; I'm going to fail by one outsiders standards or another, but that neither winning or losing matters, as long as you're doing what you honestly believe is best for your family, and maybe even yourself if there is enough time and material left over. They have taught me that once you are promoted to a position of changing peoples lives, of being the role model for anybody, nothing is about you anymore; and if it is, then you're just a selfish person. They have taught me to live a successful life, you must go through life with the mind-set that if you don't give everything you do your undivided attention and one hundred percent, that you and your family could lose everything, even if it isn't the case. They have taught me happiness doesn't come from money, clothes, shoes, cars, nice houses, fancy things, jewelry, and materialistic things in general, that you're not happy when you're in the club, or at the movies, all those things have absolutely zero value in the larger picture, and showed me the difference between want's and need's; necessities and desires. They have showed me that true, genuine happiness comes from not worrying if your loved one is going to be able to get a new toy for Christmas, and other little tiny things that make up the bigger picture, that true happiness comes from seeing your loved ones live life without struggle at any and every expense.. and if you have a little spare time, to do the things you never thought you could do, but prayed that one day you would be able to do. They have taught me that women transform everything they touch, and that they deserve the up most respect, no matter the circumstances. They have taught me that my dreams won't just come true, I have to do the work; nobody can stop me but me, dreams don't work without action, that love is stronger than hate. They have taught me that you truly only need three things in life: A back bone, a funny bone, and a wish bone. They have been my rock, and I have only made it this far, and will only make it as far as I will, no matter how far that is, because of them. I think that when I was born, when they held me for the first time and realized how small and helpless I was, that they wanted so much for me, enough to sacrifice their own life, dreams, ambitions, goals, and happiness to insure that they were in the position to do those things for me until I was ready to do them for myself, and my loved ones; and they did exactly that. I am so unbelievably thankful to have been blessed with these two, and even though we have our arguments, fights, disagreements, falling outs, bad days, and toe to toe's, even though I may make it seem like I'm unappreciative of everything they done; I honestly am, and have nothing but love and respect for them. I honestly don't know how they find the energy to be a teacher, nurse, counselor, chauffeur, cook and friend; but the respect and thankfulness I have for it is inexhaustible. & Although I can't give anything that even compares to what they truly deserve in return for everything they've done for me, I hope letting them know how much I truthfully admire, appreciate, thank and love them is at least a start. :)