My parents were teenagers when I was born, they hadn't even finished High School when my mother became pregnant. But even though it was a struggle for them, they had many supportive people in their lives that helped them in every way possible, including both sets of my Grandparents. Even though my father was only eighteen years old when I was finally born never was there a more dedicated and loving man. A man whose main goal and passion in life was to be the best husband and father he could be. When most kids his age were hanging out, and trying to figure out what they were going to do with the rest of their life, my father was trying to finish High School working two part-time jobs, and trying to support a family. And raise a family he did, and very successfully, and to this day after 43 yrs. together, three children, and eight grandchildren my parents are still happily together. I have always felt that a good man is measured not by how much money he makes, or how many treasures he possesses, But instead by how much he truly loves his family. And that is the true definition of my father Mike and there is nothing more valuable to him in this world then his family, his children, and especially his grandchildren. There is nothing that he wouldn't or hasn't already done for his grandchildren. And I truly believe that I wouldn't be the person I am today if it wasn't for this man, and to him I say thank-you Dad for always being there no matter what you are my true inspiration.
My Mother Shelia
If I had to describe my mother, it would have to be the rock and the glue of our family. My mother was only 16 yrs. old when she got pregnant with me, and 17yrs. old when she gave birth to me. Even though I know my parents struggled a lot when they were younger, they still always had the love and support of both set of my Grandparents. Even though my mother was a teenage parent, I never ever felt like I suffered, or was somehow disadvantage because of her age. Like my father my mother's greatest treasure has always been her three children, and her eight Grandchildren. When I was younger I remember asking my mother how my Grandmother reacted when she first told her she was pregnant, especially at such a young age. My mother told me that even though my material Grandparents were very surprised, they still were very supportive, and my mother said without all the support from both set of grandparents her and my father probably wouldn't have ever have made it. And made it they did and still together after 44 yrs., and I can honestly say my parents are very happily married, and have been a true inspiration to myself, and my brother and sister. My mother also told me it was very difficult to loose her mother and such a young age, my Grandmother passed away when my mother was only twenty-five years old. But the one thing that my mother said my Grandmother instilled in her at a young age was the importance of family, and how being a mother is the greatest gift in the world. And she has always said she has tried to remember those words, and more importantly live by them as well. For me and my sister my mother has always been a true role model, someone we can look up to as a mother, and someone who has always been there when any of us has ever needed any advice, or just someone to talk to or just listen. I hope one day to aspire to be the kind of mother and Grandmother she has always been, and to her I say thank-you mom for being you.
My Grandmother Emma 
I always believed that I had such a special relationship with my father's mother, My grandmother Emma because I bonded with her from the moment I was born, and we shared a special bond for the rest of her life. The reason I say that I bonded with my grandmother the minute I was born is because when my mother was in the hospital with me she caught some kind of flu. And from the moment I was born I was isolated from her for a few weeks after I was born. So when it was time for me to go home from the hospital I went home to my parental grandparents until my parents could take care of me. My grandparents were very young when I was born, because my parents were still teenagers when I was born. My grandmother was only 37 years when I was born, Which is so odd to me especially since that was almost the same age I was when I had my last child, my daughter. My grandmother and I shared a special bond and had a very close relationship all her life. My grandmother just like my father was the kind of person that truly valued her life worth by her children, her grandchildren, and finally her great grandchildren. She was so dedicated to all her family all her life that there wasn't anything she wouldn't do for any of them. My grandmother was still so young when they discovered six years ago she was in the fourth stage of advance lung cancer. The day my grandmother passed away was one of the hardest days of my life because it was if I had not only loss my grandmother, But also my best friend. But I knew that I had been blessed as well as the rest of my family. And that was because never was there a woman like my grandmother, a person who loved her family so much that like my father, there wasn't anything she wouldn't do and didn't do for all of us. I hope to one day aspire to be the kind of mother, grandmother, and great grandmother she was, But I know I will make sure her memory and legacy lives on.
My Sisters Kathy and Lisa
Kathy
Whenever anyone asks me how many sisters I have, to which I always reply, I have two sisters. But actually I have one biological sister, and one sister-in-law. I was eight years old when my younger sister Kathy was born, and from that day on I always took on the role of a mother. I guess since I was so much older than her it was a natural instinct to take on that role, always looking after her and making sure she was always safe. I have to admit our relationship when we younger wasn't always easy not only because we were so different but also because there was such an age gap. But now I can't imagine two sisters being closer, she is my best friend. We always stick together in difficult times, and we talk on the phone every day. I have always been so happy that our children our all growing up together and our more like sisters and brothers instead of cousins. And we are both as equally close to our only brother, Michael. Which I'm sure hasn't always been so easy for him, being in between to sisters, one older, and one younger. But it's because of our parents I know that we share a special bond that I will last a lifetime.
I was 18 yrs. old when my brother brought home Lisa, Which who would have known then she would eventually would become my second and closest best friend and future sister-in-law. Lisa and myself have always shared such a special bond, and that is why to this day almost twenty-five years later we still share that same bond. My sister has always been the next person after my mother that I go to for advice, Especially when it comes to children. Even though Lisa is younger than me she had her children before me, and she has always been such a great mother, very wise beyond her years. Like myself she shared a special bond with my Grandmother, and I still remember when my brother brought her to meet our grandmother for the first time, she was so happy she said this is the one. Even though my grandparents and my parents love all their grandchildren equally one of the happiest days in the world for them was the day when my oldest nephew was born. He was the first grandchild and great grandchildren and it brought so much joy for them and for all of us. And to this day I have to admit he is still say he is so spoiled, even at twenty years old. So in conclusion I have to say that I have always been so blessed to have both of these strong, intelligent, and loving women in my life, and I know we will continue to have this special bond for the rest of our lives
