The most rewarding part of being a mom has been seeing my children grow up to be productive, successful, caring, and God-loving human beings. The gifts they gave me in the form of my grandchildren are the epitome of the rewards I have received.

The biggest lesson motherhood has taught me is that raising children is a privilege, but also a challenge. It requires patience, stamina, discipline, sacrifice, understanding, devotion, and a work ethic like no other! There will never be perfection and every child and mother as well as the father must realize that. Mistakes will be made, but the ultimate goal is to love one another and make the good things in life far outweigh the negatives. Life is a roller coaster, not a merry-go-round.

I used to read The Pink House by Kate Sally Palmer to my children & grandchildren. It depicts a large family going on vacation together & staying at a large pink house on the beach. We all loved that book & said someday we would do that with our family. I’m a widow now & the children are spread out. However, at 76 years old, that is still on my bucket list & a dream I still long for. Hence, I’d use some of the $20,000 to make our dream come true! The rest would be for charities and emergencies.