Cindy Loftus - My Mom, My Best Friend, My Rock

I’m twenty-one years old, and in those years, I have only had the privilege of knowing one perfect soul, and she gave birth to me.  Cindy Loftus is the kind of mother that not everyone gets, but everyone wishes they could have.  She truly embodies the term “unconditional love,” and the lessons that I’ve learned from her are worth more than I can ever express.

When I was 13, I told my mother something that no mother wants to hear or believe: that I’m a lesbian.  Initially, as most parents tend to do, she thought it was a phase and dismissed it.  She realized, by the age of 16 or so, that I wasn’t going to grow out of it.

My whole life, but the last five years especially, my mom has defended me from would-be slanders - protected me, as much as she was able, from the ugly side of life, and comforted me through all my trials and tribulations without passing judgement.

I admire her strength, her genuine appreciation for the little things, and her generosity of spirit.  She’s given so much of herself in everything she’s done, but especially in raising myself and my brother and sister.  Though they may not act like they’re grateful for all the things she’s sacrificed and all the life she’s lived for us, they are.  Even if they don’t tell her, or express it as I’m doing, they feel it, and it’s important that she know that, if nothing else.  I am grateful for her, because I know I wouldn’ve have made it this far without her inspiration.

She has been a constant source of advice, compassion, and kindness.  She has accepted me for the person I am, encouraged me to be the person I will be, and, though she may not know it, I hope that in 25 or so years, the person I turn out to be is much like the person she is now.