May 13th, 2005, I was 17 years old when I unexpectedly & suddenly lost my momma to an aneurysm in her heart due to her unknown & ongoing battle with Marfan Syndrome. After being diagnosed with the same rare chronic illness, I was just 21 years old when I wrote the song "Second & Sebring" (the street corner where we last lived) which was about her, how I hoped that "I would make her proud" & quickly became still one of Mice's most popular songs to date. (Fun fact: the studio demo version of the song was called "Austin Hates" before vocals were recorded because I didn't think the song was heavy enough 😂) so I wrote it about something that meant a lot to me... She was my world & I was SO angry at God for taking her at the young age of just 38... But she was taken for a reason, that reason made the band what it was, affected the lives that it did with the song, and eventually made ME the man that I am today.  At the hospital when they asked me to come look at the body, instead I ran outside, cursed God, and ran far far away from my faith in the Jesus she so vividly represented. Between the many albums sold, multiple magazine covers, various awards, and shows all over the world, I was constantly attempting to make her "smile when she looked down on me" by my accomplishments... I know that now she is MOST proud of me for returning to my walk with Christ after so many years of running from Him more than any of those other things... because there is NOTHING in this world more important... Just wanted to take this chance to say happy Mothers Day to all the single Mom's out there & all Mom's in general... Your job is the hardest in the world, you are irreplaceable. Let your light shine, because your children are watching. What you are teaching them now, and how you live/love will carry with them forever into adulthood. If you're reading this today, give your momma some love from me, mine left me with plenty to go around. Because she showed me to the love that I have found in JESUS CHRIST who has SO MUCH for each of us & t