Submitted by Lynwana Johnson
MY PHOEBE IS my mother, BETTY LEE BRINKLEY.
She is the strongest woman I know who has endured more defeats than triumphs, yet her spirit remains strong. She is my Phoebe, a true servant of God, and a godsend in my life. Not only has she raised two strong souls, she etched a belief within my brother and me that we’ve always possessed the tools needed to overcome life challenges. A constant cheerleader in all things life related, she used her experiences to prove that with perseverance and true grit, the desires of our hearts can be obtained.
A perfectly imperfect mother taught me that things do not necessarily need to line up “perfectly” in order to walk the path set for me. All I had to do was believe in myself and the endless possibilities. My mom, my Phoebe, would never allow fear to be a deterrent or excuse and lovingly pushed me along, despite how uncertain I felt, especially when trying something new. My mom’s encouragement and love are what motivates me to this day, and I do my best to pass along the same tenacity to my children.
Mothers rarely get the credit they deserve, and they and their efforts unfortunately go unrecognized. This Phoebe Movement enables me to reflect on the enormous impact my mom has had on my life, career, and how influential she has been in my very own role as mother. With unwavering love, my mom has taught me the value of what it means to be a mom of unconditional love. A mother gives, even when there is nothing left to give…my mom still gives.
I’m grateful to my mom for exposing me to an amazing childhood filled with early Saturday morning beach fun, late night roller skating, winter skiing, and horseback riding. Despite some turbulent ups and downs, there was never a dull moment in our home. She filled our souls with laughter, and the hallways each Friday night with tunes of Earth Wind and Fire, Chaka Khan, Teddy Pendergrass and countless others.
I will always be grateful for the example my mom has been and continues to be, as I, too, attempt to be the greatest role model to my children, just as my mom has always been for me.
Betty Lee Brinkley, thank you for being MY PHOEBE!
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