The word warrior is used to define someone that is strong and does not give up easily. It’s also used to define someone that shows a lot of courage. My mother Carman Frederick is that – she is unlike anyone in this world. I am not just saying that because I am her daughter. Ask anyone that has met her. She has a presence that calms you and makes you want to do better. She has never met a stranger and is always willing to lend a helping hand. Whether that’s to family or a stranger needing help looking for her car in a parking lot. My whole life I have looked up to this woman. Through everything in life that has been thrown her way she has handled it with such grace. My mom was a single mother raising two kids and she put her love life on hold to make sure my brother and I had everything we ever wanted, no matter the struggle. Back in 2006, the man I was grateful to call Dad took two kids in and treated them like his own, and our families became one in December of 2009. Our life changed just three short years later on November 10, 2012 when my dad Frank Frederick was diagnosed with stage 4 Glioblastoma. My mom remained positive and strong through two brain surgeries, two rounds of chemotherapy and radiation, and through countless hours of physical therapy. My mom never gave up hope that my dad would be back to himself one day. She always said we would get through this, together. She worked from home all hours of the night so she could be by my dad’s side through everything. She never once complained about being exhausted or that it was all too much for her. She had a smile on her face every single day, no matter that she was hurting on the inside. She never let my dad or us kids see the pain she had. On July 11th, 2014 my dad passed away. The one thing that made my mom so happy was gone. But one thing remained the same – her strength to keep it all together. She was the light my dad needed through everything, the light I needed to handle losing the only father figure I had, and what our family needed to get through the tough times ahead. She encouraged us to keep going. She always reminds us to this day that Frank – Dad/grandpa/brother/uncle – would be so proud. She is the essence of a hero. She is my hero. Today, 7 years later, she is determined to help other families going through the same thing. She wants them to feel supported and loved just like people did for her. Today I nominate my mom Carman Frederick for the Stevie Patrick Legacy of Love award for never giving up and keeping Dad’s legacy and life alive.