As most of you know, Ms. Pat has been an icon in the Child Care Community. She has given her entire life and heart to this career and those who share that passion. She is always readily available to communicate, mentor, and nurture fellow providers. She gives that same energy to her Child Care families. Ms. Pat has always made her “work children” her priority in every possible way. 55 years of service and giving hours of her time to those who need her in one way or another, while never asking for anything in return. All of my life, I have watched my mom learn and grown, bettering her facility and curriculum. Getting involved concerning the rights of children, the face of the child care provider union, ongoing training and workshops. She even went to college and received her Associate Science Degree in Early Childhood Education at the age of 60. As someone who was thriving in her field, she still felt she could do more and be better. There isn’t enough time in the day to list all of her accomplishments, certificates and milestones.

My mom, Ms. Pat, has never been celebrated. When we were young, we were usually celebrated often and recognized on our birthday, she didn’t have any of that growing up. Big moments and cause for celebration as an adult were few and far in between, yet we usually have them. Her wedding was a quick trip to Las Vegas (sorry, no Elvis at that one) with a handful of witnesses. As adults we can generally expect to get celebrated when we have a wedding, reception, baby showers, Birthdays and Mother’s Day, for my mom, it was a hallmark card and quick acknowledgment, otherwise a typical day. Even when she graduated college, not much was done. In 2020 we tried to have a “50 year work anniversary” party, unfortunately did you read the 2020 part? It turned into an event where people came and honked in a circle around the park. It was fun, just not what we had hoped it would be. I’m telling you all of this to show just how much this woman needs to be celebrated. She has missed out of all of the “make it about me” moments we all live for and yet she hasn’t minded.

I want my mom to feel celebrated. Get the acknowledgement and praise she deserves. I want to throw a big party, invite a ton of people, and just make her feel special and validate her years of being an amazing woman, a remarkable child care provider, a hard-working mom, and an overall giving human being who has spent her entire life giving with no expectations.

I am a single mom, one income and funding this entire shindig myself. I have been saving all year, crunching the numbers, been an incredibly smart / frugal shopper and yet I still don't have enough.

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I think someone who has battled cancer more than once, lost over 200 lbs. for her health, continued her education into her 60's, while also giving so much of herself to our future generation, education, community, and who has fought for the rights of children, education and providers for 55 years DESERVES to be appreciated and celebrated. If not her, then who?