While most of the other mothers were talking over sales at the local stores and worrying about redecorating, mine was taking part-time college classes, working, and raising three children. For a long time I thought it was normal for a parent to spend nights pouring over books and notes after working all day.  By the time we were in high school, Mom graduated from college and decided to become an attorney.  We all pitched in with the housework and even got part-time jobs of our own, to help out. She passed her MBE Exam at the age of forty-eight.  She is also the reason and inspiration that each of her children went on to become successful, well-educated professionals.