Sonia Lynn.

The term "mother figure" is often mentally-defined as a delicate, reserved woman who kept the household while the husband hunted. She must keep herself looking presentable, cook meals for the family, care for the children, and clean the home for her family. My mother, on the other hand, is all of these things and more.

My mother married my father when she was very young and has done nothing but be a wonderful wife and mother of my brother, Richie and I. Not a dull moment happened underneath our roof. Sadly, the saying goes... all good things must come to an end. My parents parted ways when I was just 11 years old. The news crushed me. I had seen and heard of families going through divorce all around me but never imagined it would happen to us. My father packed his bags and moved out of our home; leaving the mortgage behind for Moma.

To be able to pay for our home until we could sell it, Moma worked an 8-5 job at the local beauty store. She then would come home and immediately begin working on more clients from 6-10 every night in her own salon she built in the basement. She worked hard and still managed to cook, clean, and stay beautiful.

When the house finally sold, we moved into a small one bedroom/one bath apartment. All three of us shared a queen sized bed, ate Ramen Noodles for dinner, and watched AFV on our couch at the end of the day. She still worked through out the entire day and managed to save up enough for another house for us. We then met Sammy Esch and they married when I was 14 years old. Today, she works at home and we have all never been happier.

I aspire to be exactly like my mother. A hard-working, fearless, forgiving wife and mother. She is my rock and has helped me through the divorce, my un-engagement, and every other struggle in my life. I owe everything to her and thank God for her every day.