The most rewarding part of being a mom is the ability to watch your child develop into a unique being. My daughter has strength, resilience, and a love for life that is exemplified in everything she does. While I can see myself in her, I also see glimpses of who she will become individually. The way she laughs, her mannerisms, her humor, and the way she expresses are ever growing. Watching her learn and love is the highlight of my life.

One memory I will never forget is the first time my daughter said a full sentence to me. She was born with a cleft lip and palate, so speech and language were difficult for her. Then one day, she comes to the couch and asks, “Can I have milk?”. It wasn’t perfect, but I understood every word. I saw that everything we’d been doing was going to pay off. She is still working on language, but she’s growing beautifully.

Winning $20,000 would change our lives significantly. I would use this money to help finish paying off debt accrued while earning my education degree and medical. Through this, I could finally start saving in a real way to find us our forever home. Living in a fifth wheel has worked beautifully for us. I love that she has gotten to grow up experiencing a different way of living. However, I’d love to give her a larger space of her own, a back yard to explore, and a place for friends and family.