May 11--I am writing this to honor my mother, Irene. Her greatest gift to me and my brothers and sisters was being loved unconditionally.

She was really present for us, and from that came everything else that really matters in life: self-esteem, kindness, empathy and empowerment. The thing I remember most is the way she would patiently watch all that we did. How I loved that feeling of being the center of her attention -- the feeling of being very valued at that moment.

She was diagnosed with cancer when I was 16. She lived only six months past her diagnosis. It was a very difficult time, but I am thankful that I had 16 years with her. Her beautiful spirit of love and kindness has remained with me my entire life. Her early death was unimaginably hard, but it taught me to value life and to realize how precious a mom is.

I was blessed with two beautiful daughters who have grown into beautiful young women. The gift of presence that my mom gave to me was lovingly given to them as I cared for and guided them. How I loved to watch them. From the moment they were born, I adored them. Difficulties arise as you are raising children. I believe that if you trust yourself to do the right thing, most certainly your children also will learn to trust in themselves.

I, too, was diagnosed with cancer. Unlike my mom, I have been given the gift of survivorship (almost nine years). Those two beautiful daughters were there every minute for me. The tremendous love I felt from them and for them during this time will be forever in my heart. How blessed I was to have them in my life, and how blessed I have been to have this life.

I am now a grandmother to a handsome little grandson, Eli, who will be 1 on Mother's Day. What a joy he is, and what a joy to watch our first-born daughter being a mom and watch her sister being an auntie. They're so good at it! I look at them and feel so much love, and I think this is pretty wonderful.

Johnson lives in Duluth.

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