Linda Whitney

My hero to me is my mom. My mom isn't famous, a pro athlete, or some person who is in the army helping protect our nation. She's just my mom, but in my eyes she's more than that. My mom is independent, strong, and I don't think I would be where I am today without her. She's provided me with the knowledge I need to know for everyday life, so one day when she's not there, I will know all I need to know for living life to the fullest, and I can pass that on to my kids, and they can pass it on to theirs.

My mom grew up in Ventura, California. She had a Mom, a Dad, a sister named Pam and a cat. My mom would spend most of her time at the beach, cheer leading, or dancing. My sister and I must have gotten our love to dance from my mom! She attended USC, majoring in human communication, and that is where she met my dad. She works near the fountains at the mall and loves it, because she said the fountains remind her of Southern California, where she grew up. My mom and I usually spend time together by shopping. We both probably have a shopping addiction, because we live at the mall! We know we can always have a fun time together.

My mom is definitely very picky. Everything always has to be very clean, neat, and tidy. She expects my sister and I to be clean, neat and tidy, and to over all just to be a nice person. When my mom tells us to do something, she expects us to do it then. My sister and I always get mad about it, but in the end I know she is just trying to do what is best for us. My mom is the one I can go to talk about anything. Especially since girls are notorious for their gossiping, back stabbing, and talking behind each others backs, my mom is an expert in that area. She can always reassure me that everything is going to be okay when it doesn't seem like it, but in the end she's always right. My mom always believes that everything happens for a reason. She reminds me of that often.

My mom inspires me in so many ways. Like I said before, she's strong, independent, and well I wouldn't be here without her. I'm lucky enough to have a mom who represents those things. The thing that inspires me the most about my mom is that she is a single mom, with two teenage kids. She has been through a lot the past year. But like I said, she is a big believer in that everything happens for a reason. Maybe it doesn't seem clear at first, maybe you ask God, why are you doing this to me? Why is this happening to me? But in the end, it all happens for a reason. It may take you awhile to figure out that reason, but that reason will come. That's why my mom is so strong to me, because I know that it's a lot of work taking care of kids, cleaning the house, and everything else that goes along with it. She cares for both my sister and I very well. My mom motivates me every day. Whether it's to get good grades, to practice my dances, or maybe to just eat my fruits and vegetables. I know that she just wants what's best for me.

So as I said, my mom isn't famous, some pro athlete, or someone in the army protecting the people in the nation. But actually, in my mind she is all of those things. She is famous to me, she taught me all I need to know. She inspires me. Some people may want to be a actor or an actress when they grow up, but I want to be a mom, just like my mom. And no, my mom isn't a pro athlete, but she is definitely a pro mom. She always knows what to say and what to do when I don't. As a pro soccer player would juggle the ball, my mom juggles with the struggles of everyday life and I know I can overcome those struggles with her. And maybe my mom isn't the person who is protecting people like us who don't have the courage or bravery to do what they're doing, but she protects me. Maybe not from the bad people out there or the terrorists, but she still protects me, because she is my mom and she loves me, and I love her.