As my mother, she is tireless in her efforts to make sure that the needs of my sister and I are met.

At 87 Years old it never ceases to amaze me, at how she manages to even want to look after the needs of her family and anyone around her. You would think she would be wanting to be taken care of now, but not my mom. She is always looking to make life easier for others, this is what she does and has done all her life.

My Mom is in a special case situation, and as much as I tell her she doesn't need to do all these little and big things, she continues on to do them. It's just part of her way and I can think of no better way to honor her and give her some glory, than to nominate her for this prestigious award. I hope she wins.

When I was a child and had a bout with asthma, she fussed when I got dirty thinking the dirt would hurt my lungs, then would tirelessly keep the house spotless, we lived next door to both a golf course and a farm so it was a task. Thankfully I grew out of the asthma thing so I guess playing in the dirt was ok.

When I had problems in school, she quit the job she was at and went to work for the school system as a teachers aide and Librarian. I didn't see it then, but she did this to make sure that teachers were being held accountable in doing their jobs, giving myself and others proper instruction, and if they weren't OMG Look out. She was all over them. She loved working with kids.

As a teenager she was always on me about who my friends were making sure I was keeping good company and not getting in trouble.

When my sister had her accident she was the first one to the rescue, telling my dad there was no other choice but to go back to Indiana and help. My sister being the one who never shares anything of her personal life, mom was there again when she went through an abusive relationship.and divorce. Cards stacked against them due her ex's position as a peace officer, mom was a guiding light for all to see. And when threatened, she rallied the family troops and circled the wagons.

When I went through depression after my divorce and got addicted to drugs, she was the one who made sure I learned the lesson that there are only 4 ways to deal with drugs, jail, hospital, death, or get away from them altogether. Thankfully I chose the latter and am still here. It is because she took me to those meetings of NA sometimes twice daily that I am alive today.

Later in life as an adult when I decided to go into business for myself, she was the first one to offer help, providing the initial loan and funding needed for start up costs. If you go to my website http://www.robbnunn.com you will see what I have become today.

After she retired, she changed her mind, decided not to retire but redirected her life to once again helping others. Mom started one of the first home based businesses around doing home care companion work, serving the needs of many elderly and disabled seniors in South Orange County, helping to grow the industry to what it is today. Only when the state got involved did she finally retire...sort of.wink wink

As I said earlier, mom is 87 now, she doesn't hear all that well, won't spend the money on a hearing aid, has a hard time walking because of two knee replacements, but she still manages to drive, get around, cook me dinner, and weed in her garden. My mom is iconic in that she has lived the longest of anyone in either of her or my dad's families. I wonder if I will be that lucky.

Mom can't travel anymore, so the chances she will see what if any family are left besides me, are very slim unless they travel to her. Not sure that will happen at anytime soon as my sister won't travel either. So it's just mom and I

Her memory is a little slow now, but she still has a fabulous mind. Her remembrances of times past and growing up during the depression, has her constantly saying that it because of those times that she has fared so well. And she can make a full meal out practically nothing at all, lol.

And being able to account for every penny is another one of her greatest forte's. Maybe even to a fault as she watches pennies more than dollars, but that's ok it's her choice and it has served her well.

She has survived the death of her husband lifetime mate and never ever even so much as looked at another man, though many have courted. She took her vows of marriage to the nth degree, living her life with integrity where many others would have just given up and moved on. Mom is a testament to those who would seek a simpler gentler life.

My sister and I have been divorced and did not fair as well, that's ok because she was there through it all. Though she would love to see me have someone and be married, I am sure.

She suffered the loss of her one and only grandchild not once, not twice, but three times when we found out last summer he passed 6 years ago. His mother didn't even let us know, nice eh. I can count on one hand the amount times she ever got to see him, and on two hands how many times I did. I am sure that hurt her the worst, but that is another story all in itself, and the only thing I can say is parental and grand parental alienation is wrong.

I could go on and on with stories of my mom, but I am sure everyone see's how she is.now and that is all that matters to me. I have to be the luckiest son on earth to have her as a mom and I am blessed.

My mom has lived life well, suffered hard, kept right on plugging along, and no matter what anyone says, I am proud that she is my mom and I her son. It is with this letter I formally nominate my mom for the award of IWD Outstanding Service Award Nominees! She deserves it. We Love You Mom Kitt and Robb