1. “A daughter is a mother's gender partner, her closest ally in the family confederacy, an
extension of herself. And mothers are their daughters' role model, their biological and emotional
road map, the arbiter of all their relationships.”
~ Victoria Secunda
Good evening ladies and gentlemen. My name is Josefina Martinez. I want to thank you
for coming tonight to help honor the person who has been a flowing river of inspiration in my
life, my daughter, Laura Elizabeth Grageda. For the last six years, she has made me realize the
true meaning of unconditional love. She has inspired me in many ways. Her love and admiration
always motivates me to be the best mother I can possibly be in my life time. The ways her love
inspires me are countless but tonight I will share with you the inspiration of herunconditional
love.
Unconditional love means to love someone regardless of one's actions or beliefs.
Laura loves anyone no matter what happens. Her love is so unconditional that when her dog was
ran over by her tio Pablo, she was upset but also said,“that’s ok I still love you”. Don’t
misunderstand; she was really upset about her dog dying, but she also understood that it was not
done intentionally. When Laura was about two years old and found out that her Mami, her
grandma, was sick with diabetes, the first thing she said was,“Mami you need to start eating so
that you can become well”. So the next evening, when she was going to eat, she said to her
Mami, “Vente Mami a comer conmigo para que te puedes tomar la medicina.” She wanted her
grandma to eat with her so she could take her medicine. The concern and love for her mami only
inspires me more.

2. Laura loves me even if I get impatient with her or discipline her when she is in the
wrong. In the mornings, with a big sloppy and smelly kiss, she tells me how much she loves
me.Sometimes I think she is too affectionate. I’m just kidding. At least once a week, she tells
her daddy and me how she is never going to have a boyfriend or get married because she is going
to take care of us for the rest of our life. Her favorite phrase is “Hasta que estemos viejitos” (until
we get old). She encourages me to be able to give her what she deserves in her childhood life.
For instance, she deserves a good life that consist of an education with option of college, the
love of her family members, and most of all, the feeling and always knowing she can count on
her mother. I want her to be able to consider me her best friend, not just her mother.
Brindo por mi hermosa hija Laura.Please join me asI toast to my beautiful daughter
and future best friend, Laura. May she always be happy and stay by our side like she
promised. May her unconditional love conquer the hearts of many, as it has conquered mine.
Her love will continue to inspire and motivate me to be the best mother and friend that I can
possibly be, even as we at last(God willing), reach old age together. Gracias, Laura, for giving
my life significance and showing me the real meaning of unconditional love.