My Hero

From a very young age, we are told that we can be anything or do anything if we work for it. Our teachers, parents, family, friends, basically everyone we come across asks us, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” And when we answer, they always say, “You can do it.”

For me, this has always been an easy answer. Sure there were the usual things like a princess, an astronaut, and a movie star, but more than anything else, I have always wanted to be like my mother. I know this will probably sound tacky, but it is thanks to her that I have realized that I really can do anything if I put my mind to it.

My mom, Jo-Anne, is a living, breathing miracle. A few years ago, she fell off her horse. After being airlifted to a hospital and rushed in for emergency surgery, the doctors said that she probably wouldn’t make it through the night. She suffered substantial head injuries, including internal bleeding within the brain.

It was a struggle for a while but not only did she wake up; she is now living on her own, taking care of herself and has a full time job. Her goal after her injury (once her memory finally came back) was to be self-sufficient, and I am proud to say that she has succeeded.

When I first started writing my new novel, The Soul’s Mark: FOUND, there were times when I just wanted to give up. a full-length novel can be a lot of fun and 99.9% of the time I loved it, but there was always that small part of me that got frustrated, especially when I was staring at a blank computer screen and could not think of anything to write.

But each time I wanted to throw my manuscript out the window I thought about my mom. About the loving person she had always been and all the things she has gone through. If she can go through a complete life change and do it with a smile, well, then, I could finish a novel.

Not only was her life story my silent inspiration, she also took the time to be my full time sounding board while writing. When I got stuck on a plot twist or a character name or really anything I needed to talk through she was there. She encouraged me along the way, and her belief that I could write pushed me through all the bumps in the road.

It gives me great pride to say my mom is definitely my hero, and I strive every day to be as truly amazing as she is.