to a brave, kindhearted woman

Today I happened to sit next to a young man with his son on my way back home. At a first glance, there seemed to be nothing wrong with the little guy, who appeared to be around five or six. But at a closer look you could distinguish a yellow and blue ID card hanging from his neck, identifying him as a member of one of the CRIT's in Mexico City. As you all may know, CRIT's are the places constructed with the money people donate to Teleton, an institution created by Televisa to deduct taxes while helping people with disabilities. I noticed he had some plastic things wrapped around his calves, which I assumed helped him walk. All during the ride, the little boy talked and laughed and joked with his dad, who appeared to be a really good guy. Then when it was time for them to get off the Metrobus, and it pained me to see the dad struggle to get off, carrying his son and a large plastic bag that contained some metal pieces I figured helped the kid walk or something. It was really quite a show, because it was stuffed and people didn't really move even though they could all see how he was struggling. Because of this, he missed his stop and had to get off at the next one, which meant walking a whole lot more. But more than the anger I felt at watching this, I began thinking of the familiarity this scene brought back. Who did I known that went through this same ordeals and more?

I began thinking of a woman, one of the bravest, kindest women I know. She had three kids, the two oldest when she was really young, and I can only imagine she went through the same issues the young dad I met today went through, or maybe even more. Her second oldest son suffered from a degenerative disease, and doctors everywhere told her he would never be able to walk, or have a functional life. And yet, I met him last year, and not only can he fully walk, but he was just as much of a functional life as you and me. This woman, while still having to care for two more kids, took him to rehab, to the best hospitals to have surgery, all while juggling the regular life of a housewife that included taking care of her husband and house. In her tiny heels, she walked long distances, carrying one baby, holding the two others by the hand and struggling with her purse and baby bags.

This time, I want to salute a woman that provides an example of courage and guts, of what a well-rounded girl should be like. Her life, and the obstacles she's overcome, inspired me to think that you can do anything you want to as long as you set your mind to it. She's welcomed me into her home, and treated me as part of the family, and I could never thank her enough. You know, we always talk about how amazing our own mothers are, and I am no exception. But this time, I figured I would extend those compliments to a woman that's as close to a second mother as I can get.

Here is to you, Mrs., because it is thanks to women like you that girls can dream of the impossible.