I have been working for Kathy Scarpa for the past 7 years. We’ve had our differences along the way but have been able to overcome them. The last 2 years of my life have been extremely challenging and catastrophic for me. I shared with Kathy the loss of my only sibling and the loss of the relationship with my mother, who was my best friend. I also experienced an issue with a coworker that re-hatched some very deeply rooted events in my past. This caused an immeasurable amount of PTSD for me that I still struggle with daily. Kathy has been extremely supportive and understanding of my situation. Not only is she a great manager, she stepped in as a friend and a mother figure. She recognizes that since I’ve lost my mother, I'm my life, that I’m lacking the reassurance and “proud mom” moments that kept me going. She’s gone out of her way to show me that she’s proud of me and reassures me that I’m doing a great job. Of course, she cannot replace the love that I’m lacking from my mother, but she’s done, and is still doing, everything she can to keep me afloat. I can’t say that I’d still be holding up, as best as possible, without her support. I’ve tried my best to put all of her support into words, however, there aren’t words to express my gratitude towards her.