My mom was a widow at 22, a single mom most of my childhood, a Southern Belle against the juxtaposition of women's rights, a stalwart advocate for me (and later my daughter), and the only person who could make me laugh so hard I cried. She was my best friend from the time I turned 20 until the day she died in 2016. I'm resilient because she supported me, challenged me, argued with me, and most importantly loved me unconditionally. That love manifested in ways that helped me be a better parent and motivated me to make a difference in the world. Not a day goes by that I don't miss my daily conversations with Shirley Frances, our trips to interesting places, and our quiet time together reading separate books. She made me who I am both figuratively and literally... and I'm forever grateful that she was "my mom!"