Courageous, relentless, unselfish and caring are only a few of the many powerful words I can use to describe my mentor, and friend, Wanda S. She has inspired me, believed in me and cared for me. When I consider all I have, not just materials things, and the proud young lady I have become, her influence is obvious. Oh yes, she is my mother.
             For a large portion of my life my mother has been a single parent. However, this has never broken her spirit or commitment to our family-especially me. My mother has used our single parent family household status as a motivator. At times I know it has not been easy, but she managed to hold it together for us. I know some people might have experienced fear and uncertainty with this situation, but not my mentor. It is with this same courage that I move from high school to college, teen years to young adult years, no fear, just excitement.
             My mother has always been there for me, sharing my dreams, my successes and my disappointments. It is the lessons that she has taught me in defeat and disappointment that shape and mold my dreams of the future. Since witnessing first hand the ups and downs life can bring through my mother's own struggle, I know that joy and success are possible by staying focused. As I prepare to move into the next phase of my life, it is the legacy of my mother's strength that drives me to be the best person I can be, inside and out.
             The gift of caring is my mother's best feature, and that I am the most proud of. She has encouraged me through teaching and by example to give of myself in order to make someone else's life better. At first it was not easy for me, giving up my weekends and holidays to volunteer. At some point though I allowed myself to feel the joy I was bringing to other people. My mother has often told me that it is not about doing things right, but doing the right thing. I have worked with all different kinds of people and witnessed diffe...