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 Dear Instinct,
My mom has always worked to better herself career-wise and educationally while having the daunting task of raising five kids while my dad was away for work making a living to support us. She made sure that we were raised with good manners, morals and, most of all, self-confidence. Growing up as the middle child with ADHD, I was no easy kid to raise. Through all the trouble I caused, our bond grew strong. When I came out to my mom about five years ago, things became a little turbulent, and we stopped talking for three months. In that time, she did her homework on gay society so that she could better understand me, and we started talking again. She has been my mentor, my rock, my advice-giver, my fantastic best friend through the tough times. I recently moved from sunny Southern California to North Carolina to pursue my lifelong dream to work for NASCAR. Granted, she didn’t like the move—her best friend was moving across the country—but she understood it and stood behind me. My parents always said that they love us no matter what we have done or where we are, and that they are always only a phone call away. Knowing that has meant so much to me during the many nights when I am out on the road.
Matthew Pattison
Charlotte, NC
The bond between Matt and his mother, Mary, goes even deeper than parent and child. “The title of ‘best friend’ is just not easily handed out in my life,” Matt says, “but my mom is my one true best friend. She is always there for me, and I am thankful for that every day.”
“Matt has so many great qualities,” his mom says proudly. “He’s a loving and a caring person, he is always willing to help someone in need and he is a great listener. He has a great sense of humor and loves to play jokes. He always has a positive outlook on life!”
Matt credits his mother’s kind, loving nature for helping make him and his siblings into such giving, warm people. Knowing that Mary’s always available and always encouraging has made a huge difference in his life. “No matter what the situation is, she is always there, being supportive of you, guiding you in the right direction,” Matt says. “I know that I can always go to my mom for answers, advice or any of my questions.”
Even though it was hard for Mary to have Matt move across the country to follow his career, she is proud that he accomplished his goal. But she wishes him success in one more field, too. “My hope for Matt is that he finds a life partner he can share his world with, someone who has the same outstanding qualities as he does and has the same interests,” she says, voice full of love and optimism, “and that they will find true happiness.”
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If you would like to nominate your mom (or dad), send an e-mail to parent@instinctmag.com
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written by Barbara Simmons on October 01, 2008 at 09:19 PM
Matt is a cherished friend and is all that his mother describes him to be. Mary is a blessed woman to have a son who loves her as deeply as Matt does and is unafraid to express his love. Matty, I'm so very proud of you!