I Will Not Be Broken: A Mother's Day Tribute to LaNise

This Mother’s Day, I want to tell you about a woman I had the privilege of meeting—a mom named LaNise.

Now, I’ve met a lot of strong women. I’ve lived through my own storms. But there was something about LaNise that stopped me in my tracks. Her grace. Her grit. Her voice—both the one that speaks and the one that sings.

LaNise is living with terminal cancer. But please don’t let that be the headline. The real story is that she is living. Fully. Fiercely. On her own terms. She’s raising three children—each at a different life stage—and guiding them through the impossible terrain of preparing for a future without their mother. And she’s doing it with so much love, presence, and honesty, it brought me to tears more than once during our conversation.

She told me something I’ll never forget: “What an incredible gift—to be able to show my kids how to gracefully deal with trauma. With uncertainty. With love that doesn’t quit.”

LaNise doesn't shrink from the hard parts. She meets them with music. With laughter. With deep, soul-centered conversations with her children, helping them feel, process, and grow stronger from it all.

This woman—this mother—once performed professionally as a singer for 15 years. She went back to college in her 40s. She got her master’s degree during chemo. She became a licensed counselor. She gives motivational talks when she has the strength. And she still sings once a month at a local show when her body lets her.

During our call, she sang a Bonnie Raitt song for me—“I Will Not Be Broken.” And let me tell you, the moment she opened her mouth, I had chills from the top of my head to the soles of my feet. You don’t just hear LaNise. You feel her. That voice carries every heartbreak, every victory, every hard-won ounce of joy.

This Mother’s Day, Mom Bomb was honored to give LaNise a $500 grant through our Lifeline Program to help cover essential bills. It’s a small gesture in the face of all she’s carried—but it’s also a reminder that she doesn’t have to carry it alone.

And here’s where I invite you in.

If you’ve been moved by LaNise’s story—and how could you not be?—please consider making a donation to Mom Bomb. Every dollar goes directly to helping moms in crisis. No fluff. No overhead. Just real help, exactly when it’s needed most.

💛 You can donate at mombomb.org. It doesn’t have to be big. Just real. Just heartfelt. Just like LaNise.