What is the most rewarding part of being a mom?

It is rewarding to see that I was successful in nurturing, guiding, supporting, and encouraging children who became kind, honest, hardworking, productive, and law-abiding adults by never forgetting that they are beings with human flaws and frailties. It is rewarding to be able to lift them up mentally, physically, and, when needed, financially and seeing that same support being returned. But the most rewarding part of being a mom is to freely give and receive love without question!

What is the biggest lesson motherhood has taught you?

One of the biggest lessons I've learned is that family is not solely based on who you share DNA with. It's about who you love and how the people you call family love you. My children have friends who consider me as an extension of their family unit and I love and embrace them as my own.

What would you do with $20,000?

I use half ($9,950) for the cost of treatment for my neuropathy that is not covered by insurance. My oldest daughter has offered to covered this since the Guillain-Barre (GBS) forced me into retirement. I have 24% circulation in the left foot and 29% in the right. This would remove any financial burden from my children because, as a mother, my intent is to never be a burden. The other half would go toward living expenses amedical debt incurred, and incurring, from my GBS recovery and diabetes.