May <3

May is a significant month for me, not only because it marks the beginning of spring and Mother's Day but also because it is Celiac Awareness Month. I want to take this opportunity to discuss the importance of Mother's Day and Celiac Awareness Month and how much they mean to me.


My family is of Italian descent on both sides. Having said that, neither side of the family was familiar with gluten allergies, let alone celiac disease. My mother never had to worry about the food she ate, the ingredients in it, or what she touched after eating gluten. That all changed when I was diagnosed at two years old. After 30 years of never having to worry about food, ingredients, or food preparation, everything changed for my mother.

When I was diagnosed with celiac at two years old, my parents switched to a gluten-free diet. They didn't hesitate in making this decision because they knew it was essential for my health. They also had my older sister go gluten-free. My parents were eager to learn everything about celiac disease and its treatment, even if it meant changing their entire lifestyle to keep me healthy. I am forever grateful for their dedication, as I can't imagine how challenging it must have been to change their entire lifestyle in an instant. They took me to celiac clinics, events, dietitians, nutritionists, and any resource that could help them understand and manage this disease.

My mother is not only my biggest supporter but also my fiercest fighter. Despite her name being Karen, she defies the stereotype (unless you mess with my celiac). My mom always made sure I had a meal or snacks before leaving the house so I wouldn't go hungry. She prepared all of my meals at family gatherings and tried to make it as normal as possible so I wouldn't feel left out or uncomfortable. She bakes me a cake every year on my birthday, confirmation, graduation, etc. because no bakery makes gluten-free cakes big enough. My mom felt my sickness when I ate gluten and also felt my anger. I wouldn't trade my mother for the world; she is my sunshine, and I hope to have her in every lifetime. I love you, Mom; words cannot express how appreciative I am of you. Happy Mother's Day to you; I love you to the moon and back.

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