CLAUDIA

This post was originally published on Corrina’s Caringbridge site: https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/corrina

This one is not about Corrina. It is in honor of her rock: the captain and quarterback of Heal Team-C, Claudia.

There is no mother like Claudia. There is no human like Claudia. Today (and all days), I am continually inspired by the strength, love, and perseverance of this amazing woman.

But there’s one word that overwhelmingly describes her character - ‘sacrifice’.

Claudia has given everything to support her daughter through this journey. She has been at Corrina’s side through every curve and climb with a singularity of focus that has held us all together. If not for Claudia, I think we would all go under 😝. Claudia enables me to continue to live a semblance of a balanced life in which I can take time for me and re- establish my own strength to give back to Corrina. It’s easy to get overwhelmed through this journey, but because of Claudia, both I and Corrina remain sane and can focus on living and loving.

After 11 years holding together the Dean’s office at UCONN Law, Claudia recently retired to give even more of herself to leading Heal Team-C. Whereas some look forward to getting lazy in retirement, Claudia’s choice to retire is only so that she can free herself to work even harder in order to get Corrina to the other side. And she will give all of herself to that mission.

It was amazing to read some of the praises that her colleagues lauded Claudia with. You can sense an overwhelming amount of respect in their words both in how she conducted herself professionally and personally. Not surprising. We all see it and it’s a beautiful thing to recognize.

Claudia and Corrina are twin flames. They both light each other up and, sure, sometimes they burn each other out. That being said, no disagreement lasts for long and is quickly set aside with a joke and a reminder of the unconditional love between them. It is a gift to witness.

We laugh together; we cry together; we drive each other nuts. But more than anything, we love and appreciate that we have each other to lean on.

I am so grateful for Claudia in my life. What an amazing bonus to falling in love with Corrina.

Happy Mother’s Day Claudia. We love you.