A.J. Rolens- So amazing in so many ways! As a person, a woman, a mother, and a friend! I've known her for...oh wow...5 years now! Always a positive person, despite any negativity that may be present! This mother....completely defines what every young mother should aspire to become and follow!
A.J. has really made a profound impact in my life, even if I don't call her enough during the year to let her know that! She is one of the MOST caring and giving individuals in the world, and through that...she's taught me that no matter how much I may want to lovingly let my fists glance ever so slightly across the face of one who has done me wrong, there is always a positive and that people will always get what they deserve!
If you're reading this A.J.; thank you so much for all the smiles we've shared!
Lynn Braxton- Such a wonderful woman in every sense, this woman has taught me how to smile even when all I've wanted to do is cry my ass off non-stop. I can't count the number of times we've smiled in the faces of despair and loneliness together. Sure I'll never talk much about anything other than all the GOOD times I've shared with her, but more importantly are the BAD times we've always been there for each other, and those are the times I hold closest to me.
If you're reading this Lynn; thanks for always being there, even if we may not remember as many good times as the bad ones!!!
J.L.Terry- A woman who defines the word "woman" in every way! Smart, strong, confident, caring and compassionate. She is always demanding the best for not only her daughter, herself or her family, but for her friends and others around her. Why? Because success breeds success, and only THINKING the best and ACTING the best, will GET you the best results!
J.LTerry has taught me to realize and accomplish much more of the "It could always be better" part of the "It could always be better, but it could always be much worse" equation. There is always room for improvement and for success to grow even further than you thought possible.
If you're reading this J-Lee; a sincere "thank you" for making me realize "Endless Possibilities", even when I thought I had some things figured out!
Jane Carroll- The only other mother I've known for just about as long as my own! The teacher whose classroom I never got to be in, but whose knowledge always reached me. Early on in my life, she was one of the few people who believed in me...and my being able to be successful having been born with a cleft lip AND cleft palette, and thus having HUGE speech impediments.
The only teacher I know of to this day, who not only would literally stay until ALL the students in her class had a safe ride home, but would stay until each student who needed extra help received it. Someone whom would spend countless hours of her own time creating lessons and art projects, a truly dedicated person.
If you're reading this Jane; A big "thank you" for instilling in me at a very young age, the art of "Dedication", because to be as dedicated to something as much as you were, is truly a fine art.
Jane Driscoll (My mother)- The M1A1/ battle tank, of mothers. "Greg! Get it DONNNE!", yup...thats her. I honestly think that if Nike Co. was based on the east coast, she'd have been their spokeswoman..."Just Do It".
I really can't say much that wouldn't just be a culmination of everything every mother I know has ever taught me, that would really sum my own mother up. She's great, even when she doesn't know it,all faults included.(yes, I find them...because she is human and because I'm her son, and as such it's one of those things we're great at pointing out)
Countless drives across the east coast while looking at colleges comes to mind, because it really reminded me of what an upstanding parent she is. I'm NOT talking about leaving at 10 or 11 in the morning and spending a few hours there and coming back. I'm talking about the "If we leave by 5am, we'll get there, have time-and oh yeah, by the way I found this really great little artsy/hip/cool/'really you' kind of place, and we can eat there and then stay overnight and leave the next day"- kind of drives!
I remember Vermont, Mass, New York and of course here in Connecticut...and I think at one point it occurred to me that I had visited just about as many schools as I had fingers! Wow, and that was just for ONE of her two sons. Quite some work!
My mother is amazing. She's done a lot for me, probably more than I realize but never more than I'm willing to give her credit for.
Mom; I KNOW you're reading this, don't cry...ok, forget it...cry, it's Mother's Day! No really, I love you. Thanks for being you. Now did you REALLY think all I was going to do today was mow the lawn?! What kind of properly raised son would I be if I didn't sing your praises?!
