How did I do it? - a mother's story

(L to R) Robin, Lily, Alec, Joseph, and Rose Lubin)

After sharing Rose's remarkable life and the extraordinary bond we shared, I am almost always asked the same three questions: How did you do it? How can we honor her? And perhaps the most surprising of all, How are you so strong?

She wrote the following to me in my birthday card of my 45th year. “Dear Ma. I am so grateful for the bond we have, mostly because it is one which has taken growth and effort from the both of us. It is because of you that I have become a version of myself that I like and am proud of. You’ve taught me to allow myself to let loose but be conscious of the decisions I make. I have watched the way you interact with people and how no matter someone’s appearance is, you treat them with kindness and respect. You are so beautiful and are the only person I can truly be myself around. You are shameless and brave and always support me and I am so thankful for the relationship we’ve built. You are my best friend and a mother my friends may wish was their own but I was blessed to have. I love you so so much, Rose.