There is an undeniable bond between a mother and her son. And, even though my mom is no longer with us, our bond is a rare kinship that delighted so many and inspired countless others. For a Michigan farm girl (she was the state’s Junior Sugar Beet Queen of 1955), Gloria turned out to be one cool, hip mom. She lived her life as an “example out loud.” For our birthdays, she would often give us kids gifts of experiences rather than material presents. She loved a party, and it was she who taught me how to celebrate life and myself. When she moved to South Florida to “hang out” with me, her oldest boy, we ended up dancing professionally as a mother-son duo. It was always her dream. How many moms have sons who are pro ballroom dancers? We were a great team and championed each other in all aspects of our lives. Ours was a relationship of support, respect and trust. Gloria Joy, I miss you with all of my heart. My “dance card” has been forever altered.
Scott Lappin Boca Raton, FL
“She was my source of total and unconditional love,” Scott says of his mother, who passed away on July 30, 2008, from complications due to mesothelioma. She was 71.
“When I was 14 and in an anxious state about my gay feelings, she expressed to me that ‘you are my son, and I will always love you no matter what,’” says Scott. And, through all the years, she always did. “She was proud that I had never wavered from my passion of ballroom dance.”
Gloria’s supportive nature translated when Scott became a dance coach himself. “She taught me the ability to profoundly improve and expand my students’ attitudes and ultimately their lives,” he says. That’s not all she’s passed down to Scott. “My mom knew how to dress. She always looked young and vibrant,” he says. And, true to mother-gay son form, Gloria was known to gush, “Dancing, teaching, anything—Scott looks great doing it all!”
Article continues below...
Even in her last years, Gloria’s life outlook never faltered. “She handled life as it came to her with a positive, ‘anything is possible’ attitude,” Scott says. “Even about her cancer. It was in the last year and a half of her life with us that she made that perfectly clear. She was truly an inspiration for so many people.” Gloria and Scott, a mother and son who waltzed together—on the dance floor and in life. “I honor her for the powerful path she walked,” Scott says, “and for being the courageous woman she was.”
--
If you would like to nominate your mom (or dad), send an e-mail to
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
I had the very good fortune of meeting Gloria at a PFLAG meeting and through her I met Scott. Gloria was a stunningly beautiful woman - not just pleasing to the eyes but also skin/bone deep. I loved being in the same space she was in and will miss her deeply. I feel blessed to have known her.
+0
... written by Chris Chiles,
November 29, 2008
That was beautiful
+0
... written by 2147483647,
January 29, 2010
Wearing MBT shoes provides many pro-body benefits: this is the result of an increasing number of international studies supporting the numerous health benefits of the "anti-shoe ".
+0
... written by coach handbags,
June 18, 2010
Every girl love beautiful and fashion, especially the bags,coach handbags are coach outletso beautiful and designer that the girls who want one.wellcome to my web coach handbags outlet ,we supplier all kinds of coach handbags and all colors for choice.
+0
... written by vibram five fingers,
March 04, 2011
Vibram five fingers shoes are the best comfortable shoes for us to wear.When you try the vibram five fingers on you will feel so comfortable.The vibram kso are the best sale series shoes.
+0
... written by camcorder battery,
March 31, 2011
Supply High Quality canon nb-6l battery,replacement for canon nb-6l digital camera battery,canon nb-2l battery |canon bp-308b battery best price for canon nb-6l digital camera battery
+0
... written by vibram Five Fingers,
May 15, 2011
For example,vibram Five Fingers if the leg movement, combined with movement, attention focused on abs, glutes and quadriceps muscles, can promote some of these well-developed muscles and growth, so that when you walk, the pace of a firm in a strong, five fingers shoes of the new design is a revolution in the traditional footwear, especially to the young people the needs of individual fashion,vibram five finger shoes creating a new material conditions.
+0
... written by thanks your post,
May 26, 2011
You can't change the environment, but you can change yourself; You can't change the fact, but you can change the attitude; www.buybestnike.comYou can't change the past, but you can change now; You can't control other people, but you can control your own;
+0
... written by China Wholesale shoes,
June 27, 2011
by Jordan shoes, one of the hottest brands worn by celebrities and by the world. Stepping up the pace, he rolled out his eponymous street wholesale jordan shoes Cheap True Religion China wholesale Discount Bags & Handbags wholesale basketball shoes wholesale COACH handbags wholesale GUCCI shirts wear line, Christian Audigier, reflecting Christian? French-California perspective and drawing inspiration from his everyday lifestyle influenced by rock & roll and glam on the streets of Los Angeles.
by Jordan shoes, one of the hottest brands worn by celebrities and by the world. Stepping up the pace, he rolled out his eponymous street wholesale handbags wholesale ed hardy wholesale air jordan shoes cheap handbags discount handbags Discount Ed Hardy Jeans Cheap True Religion wear line, Christian Audigier, reflecting Christian? French-California perspective and drawing inspiration from his everyday lifestyle influenced by rock & roll and glam on the streets of Los Angeles.
by Jordan shoes, one of the hottest brands worn by celebrities and by the world. Stepping up the pace, he rolled out his eponymous street wholesale jordan shoes Cheap True Religion China wholesale Discount Bags & Handbags wholesale basketball shoes wholesale COACH handbags wholesale GUCCI shirts wear line, Christian Audigier, reflecting Christian? French-California perspective and drawing inspiration from his everyday lifestyle influenced by rock & roll and glam on the streets of Los Angeles.
by Jordan shoes, one of the hottest brands worn by celebrities and by the world. Stepping up the pace, he rolled out his eponymous street wholesale handbags wholesale ed hardy wholesale air jordan shoes cheap handbags discount handbags Discount Ed Hardy Jeans Cheap True Religion wear line, Christian Audigier, reflecting Christian? French-California perspective and drawing inspiration from his everyday lifestyle influenced by rock & roll and glam on the streets of Los Angeles.
... written by power balance wristband,
July 29, 2011
Peterson, balance bracelet online store a freestyle skier who patented the so-called "Hurricane" and took second place at the Vancouver Games with it, called 911 before shooting himself, police said. The 29-year-old had been cited for drunken driving Friday in Hailey, wholesale power bracelet Idaho and had pleaded not guilty. Officers found Peterson late Monday night between Salt Lake City and Park City in Lambs Canyon. Police said a suicide note was found near Peterson's car; they declined to reveal what it said. He was one of the most colorful of athletes, and he wore his heart on his sleeve - never more than on Feb. 26, 2010, when he walked off the mountain after taking wholesale power bracelet second place - the silver medal - with tears streaming down his face.
+0
... written by Montblanc Meisterstuck Pen,
August 05, 2011
Montblanc origin from some of the celebrities to now. For example, one can find a Marlene Dietrich and Ingrid Bergman editions, and even a Mozart pen that could be obtainable on the antique market. From time to time, montblanc pen these types of launch new celebrity, is typical of high-end retail store sells. Nonetheless, montblanc pen is everything and more.
+0
... written by Montblanc Meisterstuck Pen,
August 10, 2011
Montblanc origin from some of the celebrities to now. For example, one can find a Marlene Dietrich and Ingrid Bergman editions, and even a Mozart pen that could be obtainable on the antique market. From time to time, montblanc pen these types of launch new celebrity, is typical of high-end retail store sells. Nonetheless, montblanc pen is everything and more.
+0
... written by Mont blanc Pen Sale,
August 12, 2011
A pen has its own charm. Unlike ordinary pens, they have a class about them. cheap mont blanc pens Therefore, they are considered as an apt gift for important clients and superiors in the office, on special occasions. It is always important to have a positive image in the minds of clients and gifting them with items that do not have any class can badly back-fire. cheap mont blanc pens Thus, it becomes crucial to consider such items that go with the image of the company. This is where plush pens come into the picture. cheap mont blanc pens Sometimes, it is great to chooser novelty pens for branding purposes, especially before Christmas and other holidays. Some of the widely known plush pen brands are Mont blanc, Waterman, Cross, Mont Blanc, Visconti, Omas, Aurora, Pelikan, etc. mont blanc pen sale These brands generally manufacture pens of three kinds!
+0
... written by coach outlet store online,
March 22, 2012
http://www.coachoutletstoreonline2u.com The hottest new traditional and seasonal coach outlet store online. Keep up to date with the latest trends. Look at this zip top closure with colorful C logo printed fabric bag.You may find the most affordable Bags here.amazing coach outlet store for those busy days or nights of perfect. coach handbags outlet fashion handbags and signature characteristics and use of quality fabrics materials.The black bag from the Coach Outlet Online adds the new design that you may love it! Find more new arrivals that you like.
+0
... written by louis vuitton outlet,
March 22, 2012
http://www.louisvuittonoutletbags2u.com Louis Vuitton Outlet leads you to bags collection of wide, such as LV bags and LV handbag etc. They are main name in luxury and style. It is excellent quality, fine Italian technology and extraordinary beauty.louis vuitton wrapping paper, louis vuitton bikini 2011, louis vuitton carmel, louis vuitton bags outlet stre, lv plastics, hawks gym lv, and so on...louis vuitton handbags outlet store online The environment is usually a massive site with numerous prefer to allow and also interestingly you could louis vuitton create it for a person who will be certainly not considered.
+0
... written by louis vuitton uk,
March 22, 2012
http://www.louisvuittonukk.org.uk Louis Vuitton Sale online offers a big discount on the Mother's Day. We even offers louis vuitton uk as gifts for the first ten guests who buy our items. We are looking forward to your coming.Women bags are definitely of those things that women can't stay away from beside from shoes,dresses accessories, jewelries, and modern gadgets. If you are a woman then you should know that the reason why women have lots of bags on louis vuitton online shop.Discount Louis Vuitton Online. When it comes to purses, is there anyone of us capable of resisting the inviting temptation of Vuitton?
+0
... written by coach factory outlet.,
March 22, 2012
http://www.ccoachfactoryoutlet.com Welcome to the Coach Factory Outlet store and Enjoy Shopping Here! We promise all the customers to have the superior qualities and low prices. When I first went to the web site Coach factory online,I wasn't sure what to expect.Then,once I was scrolling through the handbags I saw this and I was fond of it!Once I received it, it matched my cell phone and no matter what I put in it, it never hurt my shoulder. To find a Coach Bag of any size, color or style to fit your needs at the coach factory outlet online is a very necessary thing for every beautiful woman.
+0
... written by louis vuitton sale,
March 22, 2012
http://www.louisvuittonoutletsaletoo.com Good news! New LV goods are on promotion at the Louis Vuitton Sale, which is another place to add luxurious texture to your new-season wardrobe. The choices are likely to be basically countless seeing that Louis Vuitton Outlet occurs with the help of completely new and also incredible concepts once in a while. You don,t need to go out of your house and wander about to find the LV Bags you like.Additionally, special discounts of the goods such as Louis Vuitton Purses are offered everyday. Hurry up!
+0
... written by coach outlet online,
March 22, 2012
http://www.coachoutletonlinega.com As a perfect combination of classic and modern fashion, Coach Outlet Online can show the customers'unique personality. Performed your Coach Outlet Store, asked to choose solutions you want, encouraged explain in words it for your close friends. If you have been to the mall lately and browsed coach outlet you may find that a high price tag goes along with just about everything in the mall.
Wearing 
