Let me tell you a bit about a lady I know. She has been one of the guiding lights in my life since my earliest memory. Others tell me that she has been there for me longer than that, and since the spring in my chicken has sprung, that has been quite a while.

In what and how has she guided me? She has shown me how to deal with just about every facet of life by how she lives her life. She does not just "talk the talk," this lady does her level best to "walk the walk." Moreover, when she falls short, as we all do, she picks herself up, dusts herself off, refocuses herself, and moves on.

What are the guiding principles by which this lady focuses herself? "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you;" "The Lord helps those who help themselves;" "The Lord is my shepherd…." The basic guiding lights of every religion, every philosophy, and every human interaction.

Is she perfect? No, she is human. She has survived some of life's hard times, trials and tribulations with a grace and dignity hard won. She is the Reverend Leola Fern Boyd - more importantly, she is my Mother.