A Tribute to My Mother

Some gratitude deserves its own pause.

Today, I honor my mother, Diane Marie Lackland, on what would have been her 73rd birthday.

Her influence was steady, shaping me in ways I am still discovering. She modeled resilience without performance, strength that did not need an audience, and care that stayed consistent through changing seasons. Through her life, I learned how to endure with grace and how to love without condition.

Much of who my sister, Lisa, and I have become was formed in the everyday moments, watching our mom navigate life with steady faith. Her lessons were not only spoken, they were lived. They show up in how we value family, how we nurture others, and how we stay grounded when life feels uncertain.

My gratitude for my mother is not limited to memory. It is active. It lives in the way I live, lead, and love each day.

This reflection is my offering of thanks. For her life. For her legacy. For a love that still reaches forward.