She's Incredible.

I could name a thousand or more people who, in my eyes, are pioneers. Every single person I meet on the street, in line at a grocery market, at school, and even at my work, I consider to be a pioneer; every single one of them. There are things that I admire in a person and things that frustrate me. There are things that I think are beautiful and there are things that make me want to be a better person. The greatest example of a pioneer in my life, though, is my mother. She is a true pioneer.

Let’s begin by defining a pioneer; In my honest opinion, I believe that a pioneer is someone who’s experienced hard ships, pushed forward in life, put all that they are into what they do each and every day, love unconditionally, and leave this world a better place than it was when they first got here.

My mother was born in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania to her parents Betty and Philip Frees. As far as I know they weren’t necessarily religious; both of her parents smoked and drank. Her mother paid little to no attention to her; She’s recanted many a time when she would hide in her closet, hoping that her mother would come searching for her, even if it was just to make sure she was alright. On countless nights she’d hide in her room along with her two sisters, Vicky and Lisa, and listen to the screaming from the other room fill the air with a horrible nightmare of fear and despair, as their parents argued once again. Then one day her mother left with no explanation; she never came back. She left my mother sitting there wondering what she’d done wrong. She immediately assumed the role as mother of the home. She cleaned up after her father and siblings, took care of her little sister, and cooked meals; all at the age of twelve. She never caught a break.

Growing up my mother fell in love with a boy who soon thereafter went on a mission. She waited for him, and when he returned, he wanted nothing to do with her. That’s how she ended up here, in American Fork, Utah.

My mother has been through hell and back. There are many stories, much more intimate and tragic, that have occurred in her life. Sometimes life decides to send a person a single lemon; however, in some cases it sends the entire orchard of lemon trees and then expects that person to keep the trees in a well-kept condition as well as make lemonade. This is exactly what happened to my mother, and she single handedly took on that orchard and turned it into one of the most beautiful oasis’ this world has the opportunity to witness.

As a child I’ve always admired my mother for many reasons, mainly because she was my mother. She was the coolest person I’d ever met, and I grew up wanting to be just like her. As I grow older I’ve realized that my mother and I have begun to grow apart. I’m becoming my own person and going through the motions of learning who I am. Things I do frustrate her, choices I make disappoint her, but no matter the case she loves the still the same, unconditionally.

My mother bases her life on hard work. When she performs tasks, it’s all or nothing. If you’re going to do something, do it right the first time or don’t do it at all. My mom taught me to clean. I’ve never been so grateful to learn something in my entire life. As a child, I hated to clean; now that I’ve grown I can see how important it is to live in a clean environment. My mom showed me that, she taught me to love it.

My mom is undoubtedly a pioneer. She may not believe it, but I know it. She’s experienced so many hard ships and each and every time, she’s come out with a smile on her face and a little bit stronger. She’s the strongest woman I know. Serving willingly, loving everyone unconditionally, and taking on the task of raising a family, which I assure you was no easy task. I admire my mom in many ways, and I love her more than she will ever be able to comprehend. She has shaped me into the person I am; she has helped to make this world a better place. She’s a pioneer.