My mother, Patricia Ann Hampton, is the heart and soul of our family — the queen of the Hampton household. She’s always busy cooking, caring for my father, and loving her grandchildren. But above all, she succeeded in raising five children — four boys and one girl — who are confident and unafraid to speak up in a world that can often be cruel and challenging. As little troublemakers, we would mess up her house and make loud noise, but she always handled us with patience and grace. Looking back, I truly value her wisdom, her love for my father, and the steadfastness she modeled for us.

Growing up, my mom mostly stayed at home, but she worked when needed to support our family. Some of my earliest memories are of her sewing fabrics and shopping at Hancock Fabrics while my brothers and I hid among the racks, playing hide and seek. Her creativity was everywhere in our home — from gluing Sunday morning hats to patching up our pants to creating beautiful flower arrangements in pots. I’ve learned a lot from her techniques and I often give her credit for my own creative spirit.

My mother is also a dedicated Bible teacher. I remember finding her studying diligently for her Sunday school lessons to teach her class at Hawkinsville Baptist, where my father pastored. She has a natural gift for caring for people and sharing practical insights about life. Over the years, I’ve come to see that the stories she shares about her upbringing and family life reveal deeper lessons about God’s provision and faithfulness. Her faith has always been a guiding light in our family, and I’ve grown to appreciate how her trust in God sustains her through every season.

My mom’s story is also one of remarkable achievement. She was born and raised in Huntsville, Alabama, and was one of the original women recruited to work for NASA during Lyndon B. Johnson’s space program. When she married my dad, she left NASA and moved to Chattanooga, Tennessee, with my oldest brother, Marlon, and Travis. Following her husband’s lead, she built a new life in a different city, adding two more boys — me and Bobby Jr. — to our family. After enduring a lively household of boys, she longed for a daughter, and so she adopted our sister Valencia, completing the Hampton family.

Beyond her love for science and her creative talents, the most important gift she’s shared with us is her faith. She prayed for us, encouraged us to trust God through every season of life, and set an example of unwavering devotion to Him. Her prayers and her trust in God have been a foundation for our family’s strength.

Our relationship has evolved over the years. We are now each other’s support system — giving space when needed and helping one another when necessary. As a parent myself now, I understand more deeply her sacrifices and her love — her labor when I was born, her constant support in my endeavors, and her unwavering faith. I am truly grateful for her love and support at every step.

This is just a glimpse of how my mother’s influence has shaped my life. I hope this gives you a sense of how God has used her passions, her love, and her faith to inspire me in my writing, my life, and my journey.

Happy Mother’s Day!