Hello Dr. Laura,

The other day my 11-year-old son asked me why I listened to you. Surprisingly, I did not have an answer. I had to think about it for a few days, and then God brought me a revelation.

I was raised by my paternal grandmother who was a God fearing woman who believed you needed to be nice to everyone no matter what and that everyone, down deep, was nice. My biological mother, who I did not see that often maybe spring break for a week, or a weekend here and there, believed you needed to stand up and fight about every little thing, and be as irrational as you wanted to be while doing it.   In you, I find balance. You help me to know when to stand up and how to do it, and you also teach me how to be gracious to people when I really do not have to fight. You teach me how to be loving.

You are the mother I never had. Thank you.

Peace and Grace in Christ,

Shereese