I constantly surprised that very few readers have nominated teachers who have made a difference in their life but I am shocked that, until now, no one has nominated their mother.

Adam Hall was the first and here's what he wrote about his mom.

I feel my mom, Cheri Rost, is a hero and should be nominated due to her challenging journey and how she always put others first no matter what sadness has occurred in her life.

My mom had me when she was 18. I was not planned yet I always felt loved. My life became hers she gave up school and an offer to become a model to stay home with me.

Her home life was full of pain and dysfunction so when I turned four she went out and found a job at Woodward's. Soon after she found us a secure apartment to live in.

My mom did not drive so my fondest memories are of her pulling me on a sled in winter to get me to daycare; she made it a fun experience.

All through my life she was a hands on parent. During my days as a professional bull rider, she was my driver, my banker and my biggest fan. I could always hear her cheering, not only for me but for my teammates as well. And she encouraged my dreams when I thought of becoming a football star, a rapper and a bull rider.

Our house was a place that welcomed my less fortunate friends and various animals that I brought home promising they would be on there feet in a week. I still have two dogs, one of the three cats we adopted and many friends that still care for her each Christmas.

Mom did find happiness with a wonderful man whom I still call dad.

We had a loving home and a blessed life full of laughter. In 1994 that laughter stopped. While working for the Department of Highways, my dad was hit by a logging truck. He survived but now has a brain injury and lives a challenged life. My mom became his caregiver and once again gave up her life for some one else.

Mom has struggled silently as she has lived with the loss of her best friend but yet again she overcame. She went back to school to become part of the health care system.

When my sister and I wanted to travel to Australia for a year to "find ourselves" after graduation, she encouraged us and helped make it happen and she has had her own adventures since then.

She went to Chili and volunteered in a orphans home even though we thought she was crazy, not because of her desire to help others but for traveling on her own.

Now she is off to Africa to volunteer in an orphanage for Aids infected children.

My mom is my hero. She has given me my wings to fly and now I am fulfilling my dream to become an actor.

When I first spoke to Sheri, I learned that she has postponed her trip to Africa in order to go to the Dominican Republic to work with the recent flood victims. After that it's off to Johannesburg where she plans on volunteering to work with Aids orphans.

I guess I shouldn't have been surprised - and I wasn't - when she was quick to volunteer to help out with the First Annual Casey Gallagher Music, Magic and Miracles Event on Sunday, June 27th at Maffeo-Sutton Park. This is a brain injury awareness picnic and concert in the park.

Just wait until Sheri and former Neighbourhood Hero, Jeanette Anderton, get together. Good things are going to happen!

My apologies to Bruce McFarlane's family and friends for misspelling his name in last week's column.