By Terra Avilla
I know I am not alone when I say that there is something very crucial about having “adopted parents” – that mom or dad figure that you have in your life, that have become your safe spot when you are not home.
Growing up it was my best friend’s moms. They treated me like their daughter and I love them very much. I thought I had lucked-out being dealt my own amazing mother, and the two I picked up in my youth. However, as I should be so lucky, when I moved to Susanville, I was blessed with one more. I call her Mama Hagan, however you might know her as Sandra “Sandy” Hagan.
Now, I was introduced to Sandy from my work best friend, Kim Warren. Sandra is her mother and as my friendship with Kim grew, I saw more and more of Mama Hagan. I cannot pinpoint the exact moment my love for her sprouted; all I know is that over the past seven years she has become my family in Susanville.
On Thanksgiving not that long ago, I had to work. I told Frankie he needed to take the girls to Reno so they could be with their cousins for the holiday and so that our family could see them. Frankie reluctantly went, however he did not like the fact that I would be alone. However, I was not alone, Mama Hagan and her huge heart, invited me over so that I could eat a delicious meal and be surrounded by family.
In fact, after I just purchased my new vehicle, she was one of the very first people that I drove over to her house to show her, because I knew she would be so proud of me for driving an adult car.
Since then, she continually checks on me and my family. Every time I see her she gives me the best hugs, that only somehow moms can give.
Mama Hagan’s big heart does not stop there though. Every year she continually goes out of her way to donate to any fundraiser that I am supporting, volunteers to help with set up and clean up for multiple events, and just genuinely offers her support.
Sandra is an avid quilter and even helped organize a fundraiser for the Susanville Police Explorer Program. She participates in a ton of activities through her church and is just a genuinely fantastic person.
I know that if I ever called her day or night, she would drop anything she was doing to help me. I am so thankful that through my relationship with Kim (who I also treasure) I gained another momma. She is so dear to me and I love her more than she knows.
She will always be my Susanville Mama and one of the reasons I love the place we live.
