My mother taught me that beauty is almost impossible to describe in a way that encompassses all subjective aspects of its definition. She told me that beauty includes so much more than a few traits, and she proved her point true just by being herself. 

She fits the basic definition in that she is truly gorgeous, even if she no longer believes it. My mom lets her silver hair grow because she is not embarrassed to grow up. She has thick eyelashes and eyebrows that frame her face, and her skin is an olive shade. Her smile is illuminating, one that is familiar and comforting and comes with a contagious laugh and her smile creases in her eyes show that she is forever full of joy. She sees herself as losing her beauty because she is getting older, but I see her as beautiful forever and always. 

My mom is beautifully intelligent too. She graduated from Boston College with a degree in business and finance, worked for and earned millions for Billion Auto and got on the cover of business magazines. She thinks deeply about life and her purpose in it, she never follows and always leads with strength. Whether it’s religion, politics, money or general philosophy, my mom has always been a learner and a thinker. She is powerful. My mom commands a room with ease and is not afraid to work hard to make the best possible result. People listen to her because she steps up to the podium and speaks loud. My mom is a leader.

But most of all, my mother has the kindest heart. She has always put others’ needs in the foreground of her intentions. She started and ran the nonprofit homeless shelter, The Good Shepherd Center, as a single woman because she saw a need for it. She doesn’t need the recognition or big projects to be labeled as a beautiful and kind soul because her generosity and kindness are never to grow her own ego, but simply to better the lives of those around her. My mom doesn’t stop at “good enough,” she provides the best for everyone who needs it, unconditionally. She does not believe in earning kindness, she gives it out for free. Even if she doesn’t receive the kindness she shares or feels emptied by those who have taken her kindness for granted, she continues to give out of the goodness in her heart. 

The title “beautiful” is one that holds a lot of weight that only the strongest people can carry it with the most grace. Kindness, intelligence, work ethic and strength are all beautiful traits my mother possesses. She is the most beautiful person that I will ever know and I have so much pride in my heart to think that maybe one day I can be even a fraction of the woman she is.