THE MONTH OF May is always a time for celebration. Spring has clearly arrived as flowers begin to bloom. My backyard rich with plants is budding as I write this. I look outside my kitchen window to see the rose bush fully adorned with red, pink and yellow roses. The hummingbird feeder is full, and two precious hummingbirds are taking advantage of it. It is so amazing to see how fast they flap their wings to stay airborne. I can watch them for hours. Sparrows are also taking advantage of the bird seed I have put out for them. New life begins during this time when Mother Nature sprouts her beauty up from the ground to those who take full advantage of its glorious wonder.

All things are new in springtime, and the beauty the world has to offer especially in May is truly the only way to tell mom how dear she really is to us. Mother's Day approaches, and whether we show our moms how much we love them with a gift, flowers, a hug and a kiss, or writing a letter in a newspaper dedicated to her, it will be received with open arms.

It is so fitting that we honor our mothers who brought us life at this time of year. For my own mother I truly believe, "My mama is a saint," which you may remember Vinny Barbarino saying about his own mother in the classic television show Welcome Back Kotter.

My mom had three children and now has been blessed with two wonderful grandchildren by my sister and her husband. Growing up my mother (along with my father) sacrificed so much for us kids. Like many parents in the Las Vegas Valley, both my parents worked graveyard shifts. During the day my mom would not sleep unless we were in school. She always had a fresh home-cooked meal ready for the family at dinnertime. My mom took us everywhere we wanted or needed to go. She drove us to the Henderson Boys & Girls Club, where my brother and I basically grew up with our neighborhood friends. She drove us to the sporting events we participated in and the places my sister needed to go. This may not seem like that much right now, but she also had to deal with my Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis.

When I was 10 years old I was diagnosed with the crippling disease. The doctor said I had it so bad I was going to be in a wheelchair in three months. He added I would need therapy for the emotional problems I would have in the coming years. See I was a very active child who played just about every sport so the doctor said I would have many problems dealing with not being able to run around anymore. But especially thanks to my mother neither of these two things happened to me. (Of course, my loving and strong-willed father was there to help me, along with my two incredible siblings.)

Every week my mother needed to take me to the doctor for treatment, and twice a week I had to go to physical therapy so I did not end up in a wheelchair. My mother worked at night and then drove countless miles to make sure I would be fine. My mother never complained, and always was there for me. She showed me what love, sacrifice, respect and determination really mean. I owe her my life. (My father taught me perseverance, and how to never give up. My siblings taught me that blood is truly thicker than anything that can tempt family unity.)

Mother's Day is a blessed holiday in my opinion because only a mother could fight for her child's life as my mother did for me. I am saddened by one thing though. This is probably the best way to show my mother I love her, and I cherish every moment we have together but it still doesn't come close to the love she showed me.

I love you, Mom!