“My first childhood memories were of you as an ER nurse being the caretaker of the world. I'll always love and admire you for how you cared for dad until the very end. I am in awe of how you worked long shifts, managed to drop us off and pick us up from school and practices, and still had the energy to return to the hospital to hold dad's hand as he fell asleep at night.”

“I remember one time I fell multiple times at one of my gymnastics meets and though I was heartbroken with my performance, you were there telling me how proud I should be of myself. Your support has made me feel as if I could accomplish anything on the planet. I love you to the moon and back, mama, and I hope I can be half as good of a woman as you when I grow up.”

“You worked full time, took care of three kids and Pops, yet never complained. Every morning my lunch was waiting with symbols for 'I love you' on the bag. Every time I cross home plate I make sure you know I love you too. Sorry, Nats fans, it's not for you ... Your cooking makes [any house] feel like home. You held my hand as a child, but you'll hold a piece of my heart forever.”

“I think back [to being] a 6-year-old kid, you a single mother, us losing everything in a house fire. You gave custody of us to our father knowing he could provide us with a promising future. I remember the 12-hour round trips for your summer visit. I remember your Norfolk apartment floor covered in presents each Christmas. I'm thankful that we are together now that I am older and wiser to appreciate those sacrifices that you made for us.”

“You've always been the most kind, loving, passionate, hardest working person I've ever known. You never lied to us, you never made us think it would be easy and you never let us make excuses. It wasn't until I became an adult that I could truly understand and appreciate all the sacrifices that you made and all the work that you and Dad put in just to give us boys every opportunity to be successful. ”