Ask any child and most can list a number of reasons why they love their mother. No matter what the reason they all center on one word, love. That love is formed from a special bond between mother and child. Mothers and daughters share a very unique emotionally connection. With such a delicate connection, I wondered how that bond is tested when you have to share your mother and the unconditional love she gives with others in a major way. What I found is that the bond is just made stronger to the point that it is unbreakable.

Sharing is synonymous with service. One can’t be of service unless you are willing to share. Be it your time, money, or material things in order to be a blessing to others you have to give of yourself to someone else. This was a lesson that was constantly taught in the Lee household. Erica Lee Carter and her brother Jason Lee learned early on what it was to share and be of service to others. Whether they were sharing their toys with kids who didn’t have any or giving food to families in need, the Lee kids knew they were blessed and should be a blessing to others. “My mom always taught my brother and me that to ‘whom much is given much is required,’” said Erica.

Serving others was a lesson taught inside the Lee home and outside as well. As children, Erica and her brother watched their mother work tirelessly to make the lives of others better as a member of Houston City Council and a member of Congress. They knew their mother’s heart was so big that she had enough love to give them and to share with their community for the betterment of all. The thoughts of service, giving and sharing were so engrained in Erica that she knew whatever she did in life that she would be involved in community service and volunteering in some form. And she couldn’t have been more right. Erica is a certified teacher and trustee for Harris County Department of Education Position 6, Precinct 1.

One might think the path of public service coupled with politics that Erica has taken was very intentional given who her mother is. However, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, Erica and Jason’s mother, never tried to push any of her children into a life of politics. Neither did their father, Dr. Elwyn Lee. So for Erica to choose this path of her own will makes Congresswoman Lee one proud mama. “Obviously, I have such a since of pride in Erica for her own self desire using her public administration degree, educational degree, her knowledge about managing government to be able to say that I can be a contributor to one of the things that I think is so very important and that is the education of our children,” said Congresswoman Lee.

The education of children is a passion that the mother-daughter pair shares. Erica recalls as a young child that education was always a top priority no matter how busy her mother or father got. “My mother was able to prioritize our education and well being and still extend herself in service to so many others. My mom raised two children while working to improve the lives of all children in our community. She found a way to turn her beliefs about family into real, tangible policies for working families,” said Erica who considers her mother’s ability to balance her family and work commitments her greatest strength and compassion for all.

Asking the Congresswoman to tell of her daughter’s greatest strength and pride immediately spreads across her face. “I think her greatest strength is her kindness and her humbleness,” began Congresswoman Lee as she went on to tell me how sweet, humble, bright, analytical and a list of other stellar characteristics her daughter has. Can you tell she is a proud mom?

According to Congresswoman Lee, the best part about being a mom is all the kisses, hugs, love and being there for the milestone moments of her children’s life. Now as a grandmother of twins, the kisses, hugs, and love are doubled. Just like she instilled a servant’s heart into the lives of her own children, she is passing that same lesson on to the next generation of Lee’s kids in her grandbabies, Ellison and Roy Carter III. Before the Carter twins were even born they were serving. Congresswoman Lee hosted a baby shower for her daughter in a non-typical way. Instead of people bringing gifts for the soon-to-be-born grandchildren, the gifts went to mothers of newborns who were in need. “We wanted to even in the womb instill in them that service is a wonderful calling and it’s very important to serve,” said Congresswoman Lee. Now that the grandbabies are here Congresswoman Lee calls this “the happiest time of my life.” Erica added, “She is really thriving as a grandmother and I am enjoying watching her take time with my children (her grandchildren). To see her influence the next generation in our family is a wonderful blessing.”

As the pair prepares to celebrate another Mother’s Day together, Congresswoman Lee has a bit of advice for mothers of today’s children. “Young mothers stay in the life of your child. Tough love can be how you define it always let your child know that you love them, without question, without doubt, what you expect from them to be the very best,” said Congresswoman Lee, great advice from a tough mom.