‘Just love them the best that you can’: CA Mom of The Year offers advice to other mothers
For most moms, Mother’s Day is a day of fanfare; cards, flowers, and maybe even a little quiet time.
The holiday is a reminder of what it takes to succeed at what is arguably one of the hardest ‘jobs’ to ever exist. But, 61year-old Gail Pigue of Memphis doesn’t need a holiday to celebrate how lucky she is to hold that title. Her grandchildren are a daily reminder that she has what it takes.
That’s why her daughter, Wendy Carpenter, nominated her for The Commercial Appeal’s 2018 Mom of The Year contest.
After reviewing dozens of nominations from members of the Insider subscribers program, the CA chose Gail as the recipientof the top mom award, which came with a $400 gift certificate to Feather’s Spa at the Peabody Hotel and a fresh bouquet of flowers.
“I nominated my mom because she has been through more than one person should go through in a year,” said Carpenter.
The grand prize is a small token of appreciation for a job well done.
“2017 was a trying year for my mom,” Wendy wrote on her nomination ballot. “Feb. 4, her youngest grandchild entered the world — a beautiful baby boy. That same day, she discovered her daughter — my sister — had a heroin addiction she passed on to her newborn. My mom was devastated but gladly agreed to have temporary custody of all three of my sister’s children.”
Retired from Rite Aid, Gail — a breast cancer survivor — worked tirelessly as a full-time parent to raise three kids. However, 2017 didn’t get any easier. She lost her own mother on March 6.
As she worked to keep the pieces of her new life together, tragedy hit again. Gail’s daughter Audrey — the mother of the three children she was raising — died of a heroin overdose on June 7.
“She got out (of rehab) on a Friday and by Wednesday she was dead,” said Gail. “The court appointed me (as) permanent guardian to the kids and since then, we’ve been dealing with whatever comes along.”
Unfortunately, “whatever comes along” included the death of her brother just six months later after the loss of Audrey.
Although her youngest grandchild now lives with his paternal family, Gail’s two granddaughters keep her on her toes. When The Commercial Appeal caught up with her Wednesday morning, she smiled as she spoke of helping the oldest prepare for an upcoming dance.
“There’s more people depending on me now than ever. I’m going to raise these girls the best I can,” she said. “I’m going to give them whatever they need; they will not have to want for anything.”
Despite the tragedy behind her new life, Gail is grateful for the opportunity. Her advice to other mothers, grandmothers, and stand-in moms was simple:
“Love your babies ... with all your heart because you never know how long you’re going to be with them. Just love them the best that you can.”
Reach Nicole Harris at Nicole.Harris@commercialappeal.com or on Twitter at NicTheEditor.