of the Tom Pettit Essay Competition by Premier Jennifer Smith. This is the text of her essay, which she will read at the Thanksgiving service this morning at the Anglican Cathedral. The other six finalists' essays will be published in next Thursday's Young Observer.

I am thankful for many things in my life. However, there is one thing that I am especially thankful for...my mom. Our relationship only started two years ago. Before that, we could not be in the same room without getting into an argument. I now realise how much she means to me and how much she does just to make me happy.

Two years ago my father fell extremely ill. It was a sudden thing. No-one was prepared for what was to come. He was flown to Boston for brain surgery. He and my mother stayed there for three months. I flew back and forth every chance I got. I could not stay because I was still in school. While I was there, I watched my mom take care of my dad. She still kept the promise "in sickness and in health'', that she made 20 years ago. I watched her scream. I watched her cry. I watched her sit by his bedside everyday. She stopped her life for the one she loved.

He slowly got better. They discovered that he had had a stroke while in intensive care. The tension was tight between the whole family. He recovered, somewhat, after gruelling hours of therapy. I watched her become strong. She became strong the worst way a person could. She struggled. She had to become strong for my dad, the whole family and especially me.

When they returned home, we had to learn how to live with a person that we tho ught we knew. My father had to learn how to do everything all over again. It took a lot of patience. I admire her so much.

Recently, we have been through many other situations. Some involve my parents' marriage, others are to do with the family who does not seem to appreciate my mother for what she has done. We are trying to start our new life together as a family, just us for now.

Every year I write this essay and every year I forget the most important thing, my mom. I am thankful for her strength and patience, her love and compassion and commitment. I am thankful for her being my mom. She means everything to me. I thank God every day for giving her to me...or me to her, I should say.

Winner: Heidi Baptiste