Smiles of Significance

Alena Totten                                                                                                8/3

    As the ball rolled out of bounds, I notice a familiar face in the corner of my eye. I look up to see an excited small women engulfed in an old oversized black coat. "Go J!", I hear echoing behind me and to no surprise it is my mom. It felt as if the rain had lifted from the ground and the sky had opened back up. "Come on, keep going", she exclaims confidently, knowing nothing about soccer. She's shivering, cheeks as red as the ball; but she doesn't seem to care. Her kind, bright smile grew. If that couldn't make the sun come out I don't know what could.

    My mom is by far the most significant human being in my life. Not only to me, but i'm sure to many people that she aids in her line of work. She's been a support coordinator for adults with developmental disabilities for almost 20 years. I can not count the amount of cards, voicemails, and emails of gratitude she has received for her helpfulness. Of course, that is not her only job being that she's my mom and that is another job in itself. Bringing me to and from practices or school, making sure I'm clothed and fed well, but it never ends there. She overworks herself to give me every possible opportunity that presents itself without even thinking twice about it.

      "I'm so proud of you", my mom wept. I adjust my cap for pictures which I know she's been itching to take since she had arrived. By the sparkle in her eyes I could tell all those sacrifices had been worth it for her in that moment. At one point in time I didn't even know if id be able to look up and see her at graduation which made it that much more bittersweet for the both of us. At the end of 2019, my mom was diagnosed with colon cancer. Hearing that as someone who has been healthy their whole life, turned her world upside down. During treatment, it was a struggle, most likely the hardest point in her previously normal life. She could handle the physical changes, but it was the anxiety that had been eating her up inside. Wondering who would take care of us if she could no longer do so herself. That's the best quality of my mom; her selflessness. Even through sickness, she always thinking of everyone's needs around her and that's what sets her apart. Through out that whole next year, she still managed to make every game, look after me and acknowledge all of my achievements. She helped me look for colleges, encouraged me and made me feel strong and powerful even when she didn't herself. She had been my foundation for as long as I'd been alive so to think that the backbone to my life might be leaving me left me with an agonizing feeling. Fortunately enough, she came out on top and is strong and thriving more than ever. Not only did that year show her strength but her regard and concern for everyone around her which makes her that much more significant to me.                                                                                                                  

    Not only does my mom inspire me to be better, but to be better then her which is quite impossible. She encourages me to reach for the stars and push myself beyond my limits. Growing up she didn't have much and has worked ever so hard to give me everything she didn't have. Considering the circumstances of covid, this last winter was a struggle for me. I'm used to my routine and being so active and my mom took notice in that naturally. It was dark, cold, middle of February and id been sunken into my bed for hours. "Alena! " , I hear in a familiar but unsettling tone. Usually when my mom says something in that style I'm being confronted about something. I sigh, stiff bones crackling as I make my way out of my bed. She's sitting at her computer with a slight grin and my shoulders loosen. Her screen is so bright, making it nearly impossible to focus on anything else. "Were going to Florida" she announces with no context. She's never this spontaneous I think to myself and that is when I realizes the women's national soccer team would be there that same weekend which I had voiced to her weeks before. Her head nods up and down, smile stretching from one ear to the other already confirming what I was ready to ask.  She had listened to me like she always had but it was different. I didn't even have to say anything; she just knew. She made me feel heard and cared for and that meant more than any trip.

        My life would not be nearly as great or fulfilled without my mom; the most selfless, kindhearted, and encouraging person I know. Shed do anything for anyone without wanting or needing any kind of recognition. She's such a significant piece to my life and deserves to be recognized for that. She's always wanted me to strive for better, but I don't think it could get much better then having her in my life.