[PIANO MUSIC PLAYING]

Life -- every life, every heartbeat --

began with a mom

who willingly accepted a divine role.

A thankless job.

A sticky, sleepless, soul-stretching career.

For 9 months, 90 months, 90 years.

She taught us right from wrong, left from right,

baking soda from baking powder.

She slept little and worried much.

She laughed, lathered, rinsed, and repeated -- and repeated.

Who taught us to love God?

To love others?

To love ourselves?

Who prayed with us, and prayed for us?

Who read to us and taught us what the words meant?

It was Mom.

Who was the champion, the cheerleader, the chief inspiring officer?

Who was the queen of bedtime, dinnertime, holidays, holy days, early mornings, late nights, music lessons, life lessons and everything we cling to with all our hearts?

It was, it is, and forever will be Mom.