My mother significantly influenced me throughout my life, not because of what she did or said to me and my siblings but because of her extraordinary life. This is a woman whose husband passed away when she was in her 30s and who defied all odds and refused to remarry because she wanted to keep all her promises to her late husband. She dedicated her life to fighting for the things dear to her and her husband-a woman who ensured that her late husband's legacy continued even after their deaths. As a single mother, she raised five biological children and adopted five more children. Even though my mother did not have a formal education, she ensured that all her children received at least a high school education and excelled in whatever trade, profession, or training they pursued. She taught me that it does not matter where you come from or your circumstances in life but that trusting God and working hard will take you a long way. She taught me that it is not necessarily where you come from but where you are headed; what you have done or accomplished in life matters the most.

I became interested in authoring this memoir after my mother passed away. After talking to my siblings and my mother's relatives, I was inspired to write this book. I hope you will enjoy reading this book, filled with true stories and lessons I learned from the woman I call my beloved mother and my real-life hero.