Julie Herrin - Thanks Mom

I can’t possibly pinpoint just one nice thing my mother has done for me.  Her humor, guidance and love have been a constant part of my life, and I can’t imagine a more selfless person.

When all her children were still at home, she was a stay at home mom.  And every minute of her day was dedicated to her family.  She made lunches, acted as our personal chauffeur, had a homemade dinner on the table every day, cleaned the house and on and on.  My mother instilled values in us not by preaching and forcing, but by example.  She was a strong, honest, loving person, so we wanted to be strong, honest, loving people.  Even when I proudly announced at the age of six that I wanted to be an author, she didn’t scoff or gently nudge in the direction of business school.  She let me have my dream, and continues to do so.  She is the most supportive, gentle soul I know.

Now that I’m older and have left home, I truly see how much she did for me.  I could never forget all the things she taught me, because they comprise my most basic essence.  She truly shaped who I am today by just letting me be myself, and always letting me know that was okay.