Mothers Day Photoshoot contest. Read Jolene's Story

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My Mom (Verna Friesen) has always, always been there for me. When I was younger I didn’t recognize that as much but as I grew up I became more aware of how wonderfully amazing my Mom is.

To me one of the ways she showed me that I was loved was by putting our needs first and then her own. Mom bought most of her clothing second hand so that she could buy us new clothes and other things that we needed. When I was growing up she was always supportive in my life decisions and still is, she always does what she can to help me achieve them. She is always there for me to talk to when I need it which is a lot sometimes

While I was planning my wedding we found out that my Grandma Penner (age 62) had stage 4 liver cancer. My mom inspired me so much through that time as she helped me sooo much with wedding plans in her grief and all the while going to take care of her mother in Steinbach. I don’t know what I would do if I lost my mom and she was loosing hers all the while still being there 100% for me.

A few years down the road I was expecting my first child, her first Grandchild, we were all so excited! At our first ultrasound we found out that our baby had a Genetic condition and he was not going to live very long if at all, it was devastating. She was there for me so much I can’t even put into words how wonderful she was. She helped me emotionally, physically and with planning my first funeral for my little baby. 5 months later we found out I was expecting again and she was so supportive as we waited for our first ultrasound at 12 weeks to see if this baby had the same genetic condition. He was healthy! And a few months later we were blessed with a health baby. My mom is an amazing Nana and role model to Zander. I always know that when he is there she takes great care of him and teaches him so much, and I never have to worry about anything when he is there. Last year we were expecting again and this baby boy had the same condition Noah had. She was there at the ultrasound with us as we found out, and was so loving and caring. She was there for the birth of Quinton taking video for us while he was alive, she took a week off work to help us with Zander and all the funeral planning that we had to do all over again.

I am so thankful that God blessed me with the best mom in the world! She inspires me to be a better woman of God, mother, wife, sister, in-law etc. I Love You Mom!

Jolene