When I was young, my mother and I struggled. We lived in a place that was not ideal, a small dwelling where most vacation in. I was three at the time and she had just gotten through a nasty divorce to my father.

But somehow we made do and somehow we were happy.

We didn’t have much. My playroom was a storage shed. My bed could be made into a table if need be. I didn’t notice how poor we were though. All I cared was that I got to hug my mama and that I could give her a big kiss each morning. I didn’t cry over not being able to have certain toys or not being able to have certain foods—I cried when my mom left my side when dropping me at daycare.

I didn’t know why I had to spend my day at daycare. During nap time I would lie there and wonder what my mom was doing.

Little did I know, she was going back to school in hopes of giving me a better life, food, clothing, and toys. She was driven that way.

Times got better, and  I didn’t have to play in a dirt floored shed anymore. She provided for me. With time I learned what it meant to be poor. I learned how it must have made her feel to live the life we lived before.

I learned that it must have been tough to lose your job, get a divorce and raise a child at the same time. I learned it must have be difficult to lose all your belongings. I learned it must have been saddening to say no to your child when she wanted that new barbie doll or ice cream cone.

She taught me that money doesn’t buy happiness, though. She is wise that way.

I don’t think I’ll ever have the strength my mom had when she had to pick herself up. But seeing my mom make do with what she was given, again and again over the years…that has taught me something way more valuable than a new car, riches, or a big home could have ever taught me. She is resourceful that way.

Seeing my mom hit the peaks and valleys of life have taught me that the most important lesson of life is to be a life-long-learner. My mom taught me to never stop growing. She is smart that way.

I learned that if you stop growing, you stop loving. And if you stop loving, you stop living. And that readers, means you must always be a life long learner—no matter what your situation.

My mom is currently going through a difficult time. Her strength is being tested, and she will need all her resources. But I have no doubt she will over come the struggle—because she has before. She is resilient that way.

Despite this tough time, I’m not worried.

Because somehow she managed to always make do and somehow we have always been happy.

And even though there are times where everything might get taken away, I know that my mom will always be there—even when she’s gone and when I’m her age. Because I am like my mom that way.

Happy Mother’s Day to all the mothers who overcome any and all of life’s challenges. May you be blessed abundantly today.

I Love You Mama, Uptown Maven