Holidays

Daughter Says Mom Is A "Single Parent Super-Hero'

Semi-Finalist #3 In CBS4 "Love Your Mom" Contest

DORAL (CBS4) ― CBS4's Jade Alexander introduces us to the third mom in our Mother's Day contest.

Many kids consider their moms 'superhumans' who are able to leap any of life's challenges in a single bound. A single mom is the third semi-finalist in our mother's day contest and as you'll see, not even a medical crisis could stop her from taking care of her family.

Anna Leeder is your typical brownie-baking, multi-tasking mom with two kids, a supportive family and a cozy home. She's also a widow who lost her husband to a heart attack more than 10 years ago.

Her oldest daughter Angela jumped at the chance to enter her mom in the CBS4 Mother's Day contest as a way to say thank you for her many years of being a single parent superhero.

Anne may seem fragile but this is one tough cookie. She was diagnosed with diverticulitis and ended up in the emergency room with a colostomy bag a year and a half ago.

That didn't keep this 47-year-old from working, going to school, raising her daughters and teaching them not to focus on the bad things that happen in your life.

"You have to think about what you do have and all the blessings you do have in your life," said Leeder.

"Where do you think you get your strength from," asked Jade?

"From God," responded Leeder.

Something she's counting on to help her finish school and get that degree.

"I'm going to be a medical assistant," said Leeder.

"What made you go there, this experience," asked Jade?

"Yes, this experience and also other friends of mine that I like to go and help and be there for them and that satisfies me so much to be able to help somebody else," said Leeder.

Although Anna admits that she wouldn't mind a little help herself as she prepares for another surgical procedure next week.

"That spa package would come in handy right after my surgery. I could really use that massage, I really could," said Leeder.

Meanwhile, Angela said watching everything her mom has gone through as a single parent has been the best lesson any kid could learn.

"If I go through half of what she has with the grace, dignity and bravery and courage that she has I'll be okay," said Angela.

If you'd like to see Anne Leeder 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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