With Mother's Day just around the corner, I wanted to pay tribute to the woman that I consider a real-life superhero. While she may not wear a costume and run around saving the world, she is my own personal inspiration. Our favorite superhero has always been Wonder Woman, with means we have a ton of merchandise reflecting this fact. Ever since I was little, whenever it was time to buy her a present, my dad and I would look for Wonder Woman-themed items. Over the years, we've gotten her figurines, a wallet, a bracelet charm, and notepads. I think my favorite Wonder Woman gift that we got her was a keychain. She's had the keychain for so long that I can't remember her keys without it (although poor Wonder Woman now looks a little beat up). Throughout the years, we've shared a mutual love of this character and given each other many things to reflect this. However, I realize now that I've never told my mother why she is my very own Wonder Woman. So, Happy Mother's Day, Mom, and here is why you are my superhero.
Wonder Woman is a character that has been through a lot of changes over the years throughout the evolution of her comics, but one thing has remained consistent with her character arch: her overwhelming compassion. My mom is the same way. For nearly her entire life, she has worked with people who have developmental disabilities, helping them achieve their goals and live their best life. I have been visiting her workplaces and interacting with her clients from a very young age. Watching her work and seeing her passion for helping people inspired me to channel this part of my mother and work in the same field. She suggested I do my high school internship at the Artists' Exchange, where I could use my love of theatre to teach people with disabilities. She also suggested I apply for a job at the agency where she is the Director of Day Services. After working at the Frank Olean Center for a little while, I have been able to see just how great an impact my mom makes on the community. All the staff and clients constantly tell me how wonderful she is to work with and how lucky I am to have a mother like her. I always knew that she was influential in what she did but until I started my job, I could only guess how much so. Now I know first-hand that she lives and breathes to help people achieve their dreams.
Wonder Woman is an Amazonian warrior princess and demigod. She has been described for years as "beautiful as Aphrodite, wise as Athena, swifter than Hermes, and stronger than Hercules". Of course my mother does not have actual god-like strength or powers gifted to her by Greek gods, but she is beautiful, wise, and strong. I'm not sure about swift, as we share a mutual dislike of running. My mom and I definitely look related. I inherited her chestnut-brown hair (although I've dyed it to the point where I barely sport the natural color) as well as her soft features. When I was younger, people always told me that I looked so much like my mother, which was flattering because my mom used to model. I haven't seen many of her modeling pictures, but I've heard family members and my dad say that she had quite the modeling portfolio. I can definitely believe it. My mom is (usually, I mean everyone makes mistakes) the most stylish person I know. She can pull off red leather boots with snakeskin print, which I'm not sure many people can. Not to mention, she is amazing at finding fashion at a bargain. Savers is her favorite store, except for Kohl's, where she is a platinum, card-carrying member. She is the queen of finding coupons and using Kohl's cash, until she's pretty much saved more than she actually spent. If that's not smart shopping, I don't know what is. I'm always asking her for fashion advice and stealing her clothes (sorry! I promise I'll wash them soon). She's not only shopping-smart, but she is lifestyle-smart. Whenever I need advice, I call her and ask. She's been through everything you can think of and has the stories to tell if you ask. I know that if I ever need anything, she'll always be there to tell me what to do to overcome my obstacle. She's no stranger to overcoming obstacles. A few years ago, she developed a serious allergy to yeast, which means she cannot eat anything containing yeast or sugar--which is pretty much all the food that is worthy of being consumed. Dealing with her allergy gave me the strength to start eating healthier myself and even inspired my first Odyssey article on what it's like to have dietary restrictions. During my struggle with mental illness, she comforted me by telling me about her own struggles and assuring me that it does get better. She is truly my Amazonian warrior.
She might not have a Lasso of Truth or bullet-deflecting bracelets, but she is immune to negativity due to her sparkling personality. No matter how awful I was to her, she loved me unconditionally. For years, I took my mom for granted and was annoyed by her nagging. When I moved to college for my freshman year, I realized that all of her criticisms were to help me become a better person and prepare me for the world. She only nagged because she loves me. I wish I took more of her advice at the time and argued with her less. Now that I don't live at home, my mom is my best friend. We go out on dinner dates and shop together. We had the most hilarious and frustrating experience buying Spanx recently. I know my mom is always there for me and I can count on her to help me with even the stupidest, littlest thing. I'm sorry for all the times I doubted you and yelled back at you. Thank you, Mom, for being the best mother anyone could ever ask for and putting up with me. There is no other mother in the world I would rather have. You are my Wonder Woman.
