America Deserves A Raise

My name is Michelle and I currently reside in the Central Florida area.  I’m 37 and the oldest of 7 siblings (the youngest sibling is 22) that share the same mother and father.  My family and I are very close and very outgoing individuals that enjoy each other’s company.  The most giving and helping person that I feel deserves a raise and more is my mother Julia.  My siblings and I grew up in a household that most would consider poor but we never felt that way because of the environment my mom created for us.  We always felt we had everything we needed.  Mom cared for others just as much as she did for us and would always reach out to the sick and those in need. Many came to her for help and advice.  She has always been involved in her church and community.  Mom was a “stay at home” mom while dad provided for the family as a barber.  My dad spent many hours at work and mom was tasked with the responsibility of maintaining the home and raising all of us.  In spite of her responsibilities she always found time to help others in a big way.  Just to give an example, while growing up we had a family friend who was abusing drugs and my mother would visit with her every week.  This friend was in such bad shape that her appearance looked skeleton like.  About 18 years ago my mom made one last visit to this friend and was able to get her to agree to rehabilitation.  I remember mom bringing her to the house to show my sister and I what drugs can do to you.  This friend was successfully admitted into rehab and completed the program.  When the friend returned home from the program she looked so healthy and full of life, still today she has been a great mother to her kids and remains healthy and drug free!  More recently, mom lost her own mother who suffered from dementia during her last year living.  Mom cared for her during that year almost round the clock.  During that time my mom was told by her mother that the father that raised her was not her father.  This was a hard pill to swallow for mom and today she is still searching for her biological father.  Shortly after my mom’s mother passed away dad suffered a stroke and was forced to quit work.  Mom was forced to return to the workforce because there was very little retirement/savings established.  My siblings and I work blue collar jobs and cannot afford to give her 100% financial support.  In spite of it all and in the midst of it all, my mother never complained, always wore a smile and remained in good spirits.  Today she is the same woman, never wavering and always there for you.  She is the virtuous woman that I hope to be some day.  She deserves a raise and so much more.