In 1953, my mother fled Cuba with my brother and sister in search of a better life. For decades here in New Jersey, she worked long hours as a seamstress, keeping my family afloat.
While we didn’t have much, many nights she invited others from our building to dinner, telling us that “we can help those who have less.”
Although my mother didn’t understand much English, each night I read my homework aloud. She may have been Cuban but she had American dreams for me.
She instilled the values of hard work, compassion and community in me. And her dreams, courage and struggles are why a poor kid like me could one day become a US Senator.
I miss her every day — never more so than on a day like today, when we celebrate the mothers in our lives.
Today, I hope you’ll take a moment to tell the mom in your life how much she means to you.
Thank you.