Mother’s Day Stories: Giving Back to the Moms Who Inspire Us

This Mother’s Day, we’re paying tribute to a few of the Wonder Women in our lives. We may not be able to take them out for brunch, but we still want to express our gratitude and make a toast to these amazing moms (at least virtually!). From dedicating our success to them to performing acts of service, these are some of the small ways we’re saying thanks. We hope these stories inspire you to do something special for the moms who inspire you, too.

Little Bro Looking Out for Big Sis

My sister, who’s a mom of two, came to me with a few issues with her Infiniti G35 coupe, which she’s owned since new (14 years and 220K miles). When I saw the shop’s quote to fix it, I told her I would do it. I knew she loved the car and money was tight, so I ended up fixing way more than initially asked, as well as getting a new hood and bumper painted. I was kicking myself for coming out of pocket so much, but seeing how happy she was made me realize I did the right thing, especially now with her being at the front lines of COVID-19 as a nurse.

Mustang Mom

Growing up with four sisters, it was easy to see that our mom sure had her hands full. But no matter what, she’s always been there for us, supporting us every step of the way. And that’s including every single one of my crazy automotive decisions, like packing up my life and driving across the country in my teeny-tiny Fiat 500 Abarth.

My poor dad was stuck raising five little girls, but thanks to our mom, we all grew up to have an interest in cars. I remember at each car weekend we would attend as a family, she would take the time to help us find our favorite colors on cars or buy us some silly little antique like an emblem. Naturally, being a little girl who wanted a pony, I gravitated towards the Ford Mustang, and as I got older and became more interested in cars, the Mustang stuck with me.

One day, I stumbled upon the fact that my mom was born the day the Ford Mustang was released – April 17, 1964. All the more fitting to be my mom’s favorite car as well as my own.

Once it was time for me to finally get behind the wheel, my mom was the one who taught me how to drive and bought me a 1995 Toyota Celica. Boy, did I have fun in that thing – maybe even a little too much fun, making personal best times to and from school. By the time I was ready to buy my own car for the first time, I was thoroughly obsessed with cars and wanted something fast, but new, and in my price range.

That was how I found the Fiat 500 Abarth. At the time, it only came in manual and I had no idea how to drive it, not to mention had no credit at 18 years old, so my mom co-signed the loan and drove it off the lot for me.

The following year, I promised my parents I would show up on a motorcycle for my 19th birthday, and while my dad disapproved, you best believe my mom was with me when I picked up the most rust-covered vintage Honda I could find for $250. After a few months of long nights in the garage, we had that thing up and running.

Last but not least, when I was ready to make a change in life, my mom was right by my side. I called her up one day and told her I didn’t want to be a mechanical engineer anymore. That I wanted to finish a degree in Los Angeles. In less than a month, she helped me find an apartment, decide our route, stuff my Fiat full, and drive 2000+ miles across the country from Pittsburgh to LA.

Since then, I’ve landed dream jobs in the automotive industry, and get to work in a city where cars can be used year-round with not a worry in sight. I’ve driven the fastest cars in the world, traveled with racing series, and craned cars on top of hotels and over the tops of Beverly Hills mansions. Best of all, I’ve been able to take my mom on many of these journeys, driving her around in these cars when she’s in town or sharing photos created through my work. If it weren’t for my mom, none of this would have been possible.

Thank you, Mom! I couldn’t have done it without you. I’ll make sure you get that classic Mustang one day.

Special Delivery for Sissy

My sister is an ER nurse. I’ve always been proud to say that, but even more so nowadays. She and her fellow front liners have faced overwhelming challenges these past few months, to a degree that I could only imagine. Her courage, selflessness, and strength of spirit in fighting through the anxiety and exhaustion, and doing her duty through it all, have set an amazing example for me as well as her two beautiful girls, ages 7 and 9.

When I found out that a few of my team members were getting together to make and donate PPE (personal protective equipment) for first responders, and even bought 3D printers for the cause, I was so touched and signed my sister and her unit up on the list of recipients.

I remember the night we delivered the first batch to her vividly. Seeing my sister rendered speechless as she opened the boxes of 3D-printed visors and face shields, and literally tear up as she looked at them laid out on her table, filled me with so much gratitude. Thank you to the team at CarParts.com for taking the time to support her and other front liners in need. It really means a lot.

And thank you, of course, to my sister for being the hero she is every day, as a nurse, mom, daughter, sister, and friend. I am so, so proud of you, Sissy, and inspired by everything you do for our family and for all the families you serve.

Feeling inspired? Share your own mom stories in the comments, or tag @CarPartsCom in your posts on Instagram and Facebook.