I was signing up for a podcast and they asked me a simple question:
Who has been the most influential person in your life?
My answer was immediate: my mother, Marcy.
What has shaped me most is her unwavering, sacrificial love for our family. She has always done whatever it takes to make sure we feel loved, supported, and cared for. In many ways, she made a conscious decision to give us the kind of love she did not always receive herself.
I also learned the meaning of service by watching the way she welcomes people into her home. When someone comes over, they are not treated like a guest. They are treated like family, and honestly, sometimes like royalty. If ten people are coming to dinner and each person has a different preference, allergy, or dietary need, she will find a way to make everyone feel considered and special.
That attention to detail, generosity, and desire to make people feel seen is extraordinary. It is also why so many people are drawn to her and love being in her home.
My mother taught me that love is not just something you say. Love is something you do. It is sacrifice, service, attention, and making people feel like they matter. That example has influenced the way I try to show up for my family, my friends, and the people I serve.
Thank you mom for being an inspiration and for the example you give us every day. May I be able to honor the gift you have given me by sharing it with others.