3 score and 10 years ago a queen was born. Not an ordinary queen, but one who has been to hell and back so that her children would have life. Years ago she endured tremendous domestic violence at the hands of my broken father. She didn't quit though, she left, didn't look back and decided her children were going to have the world.
She put her life on hold so that our lives could move forward. Well from the looks of things, her sacrifice wasn't in vain because me and my siblings are thriving, as are our children.
Then and only then did she pick up where she left off. As a grandmother she went back to Solano Community College to complete her AA degree that my father forced her to stop when she was 20. Then she traveled the world and came back to earn both her BA and MA degrees from St Mary's College.
She loves her God, she prays, and watches over our family. She has the unyielding love of her children and grandchildren and she drives a red corvette on weekends when she isn't driving her Lexus during the week. This woman epitomizes motherhood, sainthood and love. Happy 70th birthday mom. We all love you.
Today I'm officially opening an Annetta Marie Graden scholarship in her name and honor at the Solano Community College Foundation for other young mothers like she used to be needing a little extra help.