My Second Mother

The woman that most inspires me is my second mother, Dr. Judith Kovach.
When she became my second mother, I moved in with my father and her whereupon she took on 3 teenage children in addition to her own 6 year old.  She worked full time as a therapist and worked dilligently to earn her Ph.D. as a psychologist. If that is not all, she opened her own practice, dedicating her life to both addiction issues, and equal rights for the LGBT community.  While she is retiring this year as the Executive Director of the Michigan Psychological Association, she will continue working on legislation to protect the rights of LGBTs, most especially on anti-bullying laws.
In the midst of all of this, she was diagnosed with MS and bravely fought a battle against stage 4 breast cancer. Most recently, she suffered the death of 2 of her children, after having lost yet another child at the age of 3. 
She taught me to be a strong, graceful woman. She taught me philanthropy and justice. And all of this with unyielding patience and kindness. She has faced her troubles with strength, grace, and believe it or not, good humor and a smile.  I don't think I ever heard her raise her voice in the 35 years I have had the honor of calling her my second mother.  She inspires me every day.