“She sacrifices her dream to make my dreams come true.” Luffina Lourduraj. This quote rings so true to me on so many levels. All my life I’ve watched my mom sacrifice time after time for me and my family. And, although, I have my own family now, she’s still making sacrifices to this day and for that I am forever grateful. I am grateful for the love that we’ve shared and the time she’s spent to make me happy. I’m grateful that GOD hand picked me for her and blessed us with a bond like no other.  

As a young girl, I could only imagine that one day I would grow up to be like my mom.  

Oftentimes you hear your parents say “I don’t want you to be like me, I want you to be better than me” not realizing that while being a better them sounds good it’s just as tough because in our eyes, they are our superheroes. Let’s be honest, at this very second if you were to ask me. Miss Society, if I am better than my mom, I’d stop you dead in your tracks and tell you “HELL NO!” Yes, I’ve accomplished things that she wasn’t able to and yes, I’m living a wonderful life with my family but to be better than my mom, I’m just not there yet. 

My mom and I are extremely close, she’s seriously my best friend. When men find out they are having boys it’s like they have their little man. But when a woman finds out she’s having a girl it’s a whole different feeling. Growing up I was my mom’s shadow. She seriously couldn’t go anywhere without me being right behind her. But now that I have my own shadow I wouldn’t change it for the world. I was able to watch my mom work 4 jobs to provide for her family—seeing that alone gave me drive. The love she shows to not only our family but others gives me passion, and her strength… My Goodness her strength gives me hope!

To My Mom, my Best Friend, My Twin, and my Right Hand Woman.

“I appreciate you more than you know. I am oh so grateful for all of the sacrifices you made for me to have a great life. I’m grateful for the extra oz of wisdom you’ve given me by being an old soul. I appreciate the shopping trips before back to school followed by visiting the Carlson’s Drive By (it’s a hot dog stand). Mom, you’ve taught me and are still teaching me so much, I don’t know how I could ever repay you. I told Dallas when she was first born that I had big shoes to fill and I meant it. If I am half the mother to her that you are to me, I know that I’m on the right track. I could go on and on with what I am grateful for but for now I’ll stop here.”

I love you Joyce Ann my Frannnnnn! 

– Your Baby Girl, Miss Society