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When it comes to mothers, it is the compassionate and selfless ones that stand out above the rest.
And that is not just when it comes to raising their children either. When they are compassionate and selfless toward everyone, that is when you know they are a great mother, along with being a great wife and friend.
That is exactly who Jill Shepard is, and that is who her husband of almost 23 years fell in love with when they met via AOL back in the late 90s.
And now Jill is the mother of her and Ryan’s two children, and they all know she would do anything and everything for Leah and Micah.
“She means everything to me,” Leah (20) said. “She is the first person who I go to when I have a problem and the person who knows me better than anyone.”
Being the firstborn and being the only daughter, Leah has such a strong bond with her mother. They are connected in more ways than one, and the fact that Jill would do anything for her daughter has always been appreciated by Leah.
This does not mean that Jill would not do the same thing for Leah’s brother Micah (17) either. She is there for him at all times, and Jill is one of his best friends.
Jill is also a great role model to both Leah and Micah, and the things she has taught them over the years are simply amazing. She has instilled her Christian values into both of them, and that is something the entire Shepard household is appreciative of.
They also appreciate how Jill is a living example of how to live like Christ.
“She taught us that being kind gets you very far,” Micah said. “From her lectures I’ve learned to be kind to people, have manners and be sweet. It shows every day how she has raised me. I get comments from people I work with stating, ‘Your mother raised you right,’ and I reply, ‘Yes she did.’”
Being an ever-present, steady force in her children’s lives is one of the many ways Jill has raised her children the right way. That and being a nurturing, protective, involved, faithful woman. She does what is best for her children at all times, and that is extraordinary.
“I admire the way she mothers our children,” Ryan said. “She does it so effortlessly. She always seems to have the right response to a question, issue, challenge or situation. I admire her patience especially. She is way more patient than me, especially with our kids, and way more understanding. She always tries to give someone the benefit of the doubt and see the best in them.”
Not only is Jill a great mother, but she is an amazing wife. And not only is she an amazing wife, but she is a one-of-a-kind friend. She is there at all times and gives people second and third chances.
Jill is also willing to sacrifice herself for the good of others. Whether we are talking friends or total strangers, Jill would give the shirt off her back if she knew someone was in dire need of it.
“What makes her good to others is her willingness to help those in need,” Micah said. “She is a listener and a helper. Everyone at church loves my mother and requests her, wanting her help and support. A loving member of our church, she is a staple to many people’s lives.”
Micah went on to say his mother would help anybody with anything. And learning more about her, there is no doubt in our minds that that is true.
On top of it all, Jill remains faithful and devoted to her marriage to Ryan, which is something you do not see nearly enough of these days.
“What makes her and dad good together is that they complement each other well,” Leah stated. “They get along and are still in love 23 years after their marriage.”
True love never wavers, and that is why Jill has stuck by so many people’s sides for so long.
She is truly one of the good ones, and her family wants to celebrate her every day for who she is.
“She is way out of my league and I will never deserve her. She deserves so much more than what I could ever give to her. To say I married up is the understatement of my life. I am so proud to be her husband and so lucky to have her as the mother of my children, and as my lover and best friend. I love her more than words can express and am so thankful I get to do life with her by my side.” – Ryan
