John, growing up, my mom taught my siblings and me that we needed to do only one thing to make her proud: live a life of purpose and service.
My mom never pushed us to join a million extracurriculars or become lawyers. But she always made sure that we moved throughout our lives with kindness and a clear sense of right and wrong. She wanted us to be good friends, respectful students, kind neighbors, and openhearted community members – committed to improving the lives of others.
My mom made sure to let us know when we inevitably fell short – when we forgot to practice empathy or we acted selfishly. But more than anything else, she instilled those values in us by living them out herself, every day.
You see, my mom has always been drawn to service and community. As a kid, she was a devoted candy striper, volunteering in local hospitals. As a young woman, she was a diligent nursing student and loving mom. As a new widow, she became a hospice nurse and channeled her grief into action, helping families weather the same pain she still felt every day.
And now, she is going to bring that same dedication to service and to purpose to the halls of Congress.
With all the division and hatred in our politics these days, the Senate needs a nurse's mind and a nurse's heart. But even more than that, the Senate needs my mom's mind and heart. I've seen her lead our family and others through some of their darkest moments. I know that she has the resilience and compassion to lead our country and our state to brighter, kinder days.
