Scholarship: https://bold.org/scholarships/diane-janice-and-rosalia-scholarship/ Dear Mom, I can’t even begin to thank you for all you’ve done for me. Doing everything all by yourself showed me that even when things get difficult, I always have someone in my life to keep working and striving for. I know it has been hard to get through the stuff we’ve gone through (including the death of my sister, your daughter), but you got through it not because you wanted to, but because you had to. Throughout it all, you make sure I’m okay, fed well, and that I have clothes on my back. It’s the kind of woman you are. I think you’d agree that growing up in a household with a single mother comes with the good and the bad, sometimes mostly bad (whether financially or mentally, you know at times that things have been far from good). But you need to know you’re the soul and heart of my life. I learned everything about staying strong through you. I learned how to navigate the daily challenge of grief. I learned about how to keep moving forward through it all. I even learned how to do everyday things, like ironing shirts and remembering to make dentist appointments. It’ll help me in college so I know how to prioritize my work and never back down from my responsibilities. To put it in a few short words, you taught me how to be a successful person. Throughout everything, I continue to see how strong and wise you are, and I’ll carry that with me every day. I’ll always “make do,” like you always say. You always find a way, even in times where there was no way. Even if there’s barely anything in the fridge and we have to stretch to payday, you always seem to come up with a delicious meal. Remember the homemade Hamburger Helper? Yuck, but we ate it. We had no choice. Sometimes you make it seem like you don't need anyone’s help, and I wish you'd put yourself first. I will worry about you when I’m at college next year, and I’m not sure how I’ll be able to help you through challenges, especially since you’ll be truly alone next year. Just keep FaceTime on hand at all times, okay? I’ll miss you every day. One day, I'll be able to financially help you through everything you’ve done, and this scholarship will be a stepping stone toward that goal. I love you. Your son, Tré