Mother of the Year Finalist: Janet Watts

Mom: Janet Watts, Blue Springs, Mo.
Nominated by: Molly Shalz, daughter

For the longest time, I have been in denial that my parents are getting older. I think it’s because they are always busy and stay active and have never really had any big medical issues. My mom hasn’t really had any symptoms of aortic stenosis – but apparently, her artery has been closing in for some time. We just didn’t know it.

I believe that God gave my mom a warning sign. One day last summer, she was in the garden and temporarily went blind in one eye. She went to the emergency room and tests were ordered. Doctors believed that she may have had a mini-stroke caused by a blood clot. This is something that happens with aortic stenosis. But don’t you think it was a sign? I think everything happens for a reason.

Last year, my mom went through major open heart surgery; we didn’t know if she would make it or not. Our whole family was devastated with this news but thankfully, she made it through and has recovered wonderfully since then.

My mom has A LOT to live for. She has five young, beautiful grandchildren, all of whom love her dearly. She also has four daughters, all of whom want her around for a long, long time.

She is the matriarch of our family. Her role is so important in bringing us all together for family reunions and gatherings. I will never forget the way she cooks a turkey or ham or her famous noodles for holiday meals …

… or the way we all sit around the kitchen table, talking and laughing and sharing memories with one another.

She has always been a support to me through everything in my life. She has always lifted me up when I was feeling down. She’s the one who sat on the edge of my bed when I was in my early twenties. She sat there while I cried and told her that no one would ever love me. That I would never find my soulmate. She’s the one who told me that my prince charming was out there waiting for me.

It turns out, she was right.

Thanks, mom, for always being a beacon of light in my darkest of days. I love you.

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