Growing up, my mom used to always tell me, “Even if you’re going to rake leaves for a leaving, you better be the best leaf raker around!” I lost my mom when I was young, but I still hear her words echoing through my ears. Moms are amazing human beings because they love unconditionally, provide emotional support for the entire family, and are truly the glue that holds everyone together.
My mom was a huge inspiration for me as I grew up. She was a ball of energy and was always determined to make everything work. To this day, I’m still not sure how she raised all of us kids, held a full-time job, and worked on our family farm. Looking back on my childhood, I often wonder when and if my mom ever had any time to sleep. In the hustle and bustle of it all, she still had time to focus on each individual kid and give us the one-on-one time we needed too. She made each and every day special.
My mom was a strong parent. She didn’t put up with anything. If she was disappointed in you, you knew it. And let me tell you, you did not want to be on my mom’s “naughty” list. Her “nice” list was a much better place to be — she was the kind of mom that focused on connections, quality time, and providing the very best for her family.
Hands down, I think that the greatest gift that my mom gave me was her work ethic. She was up way before the sun every day and didn’t stop until every single job was done. She taught me that it’s okay to be a workaholic and always put your family first, and as a parent, that’s what I’ve gone on to do. When I first started Quality Plus Automotive, I put in long, hard hours to make it work, and I’m so grateful for my wife, a true supermom, who raised all three children while I worked — and she made it look easy!
The bonds that my wife shares with our children are unbelievable. I consider myself to be the luckiest man to have had front-row seats watching her raise up three caring, kind, self-sufficient, and intelligent children all the way from birth to adulthood. Without my wife, this would have never been possible. She truly is the best mom in the world.
To all the hardworking moms out there, Mother’s Day is all about you. It’s a time to celebrate your accomplishments, fearlessness, unconditional love, patience, and grit. Being a mom is not an easy task, but all of you make it look so easy — my hat goes off to every single one of you. Happy Mother’s Day!
- Randy Bunn