Momma and Buni: proudly nibbling on organic vegetables, cracking each other up, and taking on the world in Birkenstocks side-by-side since 1991. Yes, I’m this blissed out that my mother is back in Puerto Rico with me!
My mother, my hero. Everything I am is thanks to her, and to my father — my creators and my stewards. This woman is why I am who I am, how I persevere, where I find inspiration, what inspires me. The past twenty-four hours have reminded me of the endless blessing it is to be on this journey with her as a proud daughter, every moment since my very first — at the highest of bliss and in the depths of darkness, throughout times of clarity and the throws of confusion, in utter beauty and painful despair. She “raised me, taught me, corrected me, comforted me, loved me, encouraged me, and supported me in all things” — and continues to do so, whether here in Puerto Rico, at home in Marin County or anywhere on this glorious globe. In reading Meghan McCain’s moving tribute to her late father, a heroic man of principle, dignity and conviction who lead with values, honesty and love, I cannot stop thinking of the tremendous fortune I have to be born to Judi Shils: a powerhouse pioneer of a woman, a dreamer, a doer, a leader, an inspiration, a light. Thank you for working harder than I even know to give me the most unbelievably gifted life I could have possibly wished for or wanted against all odds. Momma, I love you more than the sun, moon and stars combined.
