Children are the master imitators. As a parent, you are your child’s biggest influence. They inherit much more than just your familiar facial features. Their motor skills, beliefs, values, and large segments of their behavior will often grow to mirror yours, whether that development is something you are content with or not.

For some, the idea of replicating the behavior of their parents is an unwelcome one. Where biological parents fail, adoptive parents, coaches, and mentors take their place. When those with the intent to fulfill the parental role in our lives, rather paternal or adoptive, live a life demonstrative of strength, compassion, and honesty, the possibilities for our success are endless.

As demonstrated through P&G's Rio 2016 Olympic Tribute to Mothers, it takes someone strong to make someone strong. It is often said that children learn from who you are, not what you teach. Reflective in our state’s motto of Esse Quam Videri, when your child's development is involved, it is more important to be, rather than to seem.

Although the majority of The Odyssey readers are not Olympic athletes, the subtle messages of strength and perseverance advocated through our Mothers is vitally important. These lessons of self confidence and determination instill within us the idea to conquer the things we fear most, in order to achieve what others deem impossible.

Whether those challenges may be accepting a new job, moving to a new city, or simply getting out of bed each day. The strength that is required to raise a child is truly commendable, and after watching P&G's Tribute to Mothers, I'm sure the remembrance of that importance will not be lost on any of us this Mother's Day.