This tribute is to my Mom, who is no longer with me on this Earth, but I feel her presence when I am sad or bothered by things in life that sometimes we have no control over.

My Mom loved everyone. She loved God. She prayed for friends, their families and thanked God for giving her continued life so that she could be a Mom to her children.
 

Before I was born, my mom was in a hospital suffering from a terminal disease.  [There was no cure for TB or 'consumption' at the time.]

She lingered in the hospital for over two years, waiting to die. She told me how she would pray for all the patients that were on the ward, also waiting to die, and many did. She told me she would pray for them and knew they would pray for her when her time came.
 

Mom had three children at that time, she had to leave with my father to care for. She said she prayed to God every day.
 

One day the Doctors said she no longer had to be hospitalized. She was inexplicably cured. They had no medical explanation for her sudden recovery.  They suggested however she have no more children.

My sister was born one year after that. I was born two years later.

I asked my mother why did she have us? She said she it was her purpose in life. She prayed to see her children grow, have their own lives, have children of their own. She was blessed to survive but saddened for those who did not live to see their children flourish.

My Mom taught us not to be angry when our lives would be presented with things that we did not expect or thought we could not handle.

My Mom lived long enough to see all five of us grow, live our lives, and have children of our own. She became a grandmother and great grandmother to them.

She retained her deep abiding faith and passed it on to each of us.

I think of my Mom everyday.

I miss her strength, how she worked hard and everyday sent us her blessings and gave us good advice. She was never judgmental.

She taught us not to be hardened or hold grudges and learn to forgive those who perhaps hurt us with malice or with intentions to do so. She taught us to be forgiving and move on. This was her wisdom.

She prayed for all of us, so much, for so long,  she had developed callouses on her knees that were as thick as leather pads! 

I miss her everyday, I miss her warmth, her words, her touch, because to me, everyday is Mothers Day.