What is the most rewarding part of being a mom?

The most rewarding part of being a mom is seeing who your child becomes. You spend years teaching and hoping it sticks and then one day, you see it in action. My daughter is an accomplished singer who contributed to a collection of music compiled for a research study with children who have brain tumors. That’s when you realize you didn’t just raise a child, you raised a human who will bring good into the world.

What is the biggest lesson motherhood has taught you?

Motherhood has taught me that you can’t control your child’s choices, you can only shape how they think. You can say something a hundred times, but they still need to learn through experience. So instead of telling them what to do, I’ve learned to teach her how to reason, how to pause, and how to make thoughtful decisions. Because in the end, it’s not about whether they listen, it’s about whether they can think for themselves.

What would you do with $20,000?

As an ovarian cancer survivor, I would first give back by going to my oncology center and offering a gift to a mom in treatment to remind her that people care. I remember how meaningful that support was during such a difficult time, especially while raising a child. I would then use the money to help my daughter with college tuition as she begins her next chapter. Having spent years caring for my daughter and my father with dementia, I would also take some time off to recharge and relax.