Holidays

Friend Says Mom Epitomizes The Word 'Sacrifice'

Semi-Finalist #2 In CBS4 "Love Your Mom" Contest

DORAL (CBS4) ― Less than a week away from Mother's Day, CBS4's Jade Alexander introduces the second of four semi-finalists in our "How Much Do You Love Mom" Contest.

The second semi-finalist, Barbara Groves, was nominated by a lifelong friend who says this is one mom who epitomizes the term 'sacrifice.'

She also says it's going to be a difficult Mother's Day this year because it'll be her first without her daughter.

"Whenever she was ill, I'd have to be home with her because there was no one else at that time when she was younger," Barbara Groves explained to CBS4's Jade Alexander about her daughter Kellie.

Even as she got older, Kellie still needed her mother by her side. Kellie was born with Rhett syndrome, a progressive, untreatable genetic disease that ravages the brain and body.

"Between 8 months and a year and a half, they regress whatever they have learned, they go backwards," said Groves.

One day Kellie was no longer able to say mommy. But mommy was there for the next 34 years tending to her every need while balancing her time with her son.

"I did my best because I put him into every sport there was. He played baseball and I was always there and Kellie was with me or with a sitter or something. I tried to be equal," said Groves.

Twelve years ago, the state provided Barbara with a caretaker for Kellie who became a part of the family and found it hard to deal with Kellie's deteriorating health after she was hospitalized with pneumonia last year.

"She didn't want to be here for this part of the time because she doesn't deal with that kind of a patient but I made her stay. I said I need you more now," said Groves.

Kellie died on April 1st. Her room is still the same. Her mother is alone for the first time in 34 years.

Barbara's friend of 50 years, Joyce Collins nominated her for our Mother's Day contest on behalf of Kellie.

"Your friend Joyce thinks the world of you and she strongly believes that Kellie would love to see you take some time for you now," Jade told Barbara. "I know, said Groves.

On behalf of your friends who love and adore you and have known you for so many years, they're speaking for Kellie and they told us what they thought Kellie would want. So that's why you have been selected a semi-finalist," Jade told Groves. "Oh, thank you," said Groves.

Jade checked with Joyce one last time before she visited Barbara to make sure the timing was right for her. Joyce assured Jade winning this Mother's Day prize is something Kellie would want.

If you'd like to see Barbara Groves win our Mother's Day contest, you can cast your vote by going to CBS4.COM/MOM where you'll find all of our Mother's Day Contest semi-finalists.

Before Mother's Day, we'll get the poll results and based on your choices, some deserving Mom will be sent on a great getaway. Another will receive a spa package and there's even a delicious dinner package.

(© MMVIII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

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