If the American Red Cross didn't exist, Nancy Cotter would start it. If some people have a heart as big as Texas, hers is as big as the North American continent. She is a member of the disaster relief team and has traveled around the country to the aid of others. Kindness is written all over her face. If Santa Claus were female, she would be Nancy. Her smile immediately takes people into a safe place. And the twinkle in her eye? It is that of selflessness. She lives by the same motto penned by John Wesley in the 18th century, "Do as much good as you can, to as many people as you can, in as many ways as you can, as often as you can, for as long as you can." Her first thought is to help others.

Suffering the tremendous loss of her mom, she found herself in need of help. Nancy said, "My mom was the original funny lady. She would fit right in with the RHMs." Her mom had a room full of costumes and even carried one in the car just in case the mood arose to entertain. If she felt inspired, she did a sort of Supermom thing by exiting the room as a regular person and darting back into the room in full costume, just to watch people laugh. Once, she jumped from a giant birthday cake for a 94 year old man. She says, "Mom made sure everyone had a laugh even when she didn't feel like it."

The loss of her mom took away her cherished best friend and lifetime confidant. "My mom was the one I could tell everything to." Nancy said. When her mother died, Nancy couldn't bring herself to finish her college degree courses or continue her work with the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Team. Her world stopped as she wondered what life would look like without the companionship of her amazing mom.

She decided her healing would come in the form of the fun her mom always hoped to bring to everyone else. Fun is Nancy's focused healing channel for now. The building blocks of laughter are helping her to let down, calm down, and slow down for restoration. She decided to take part in the fun of performing in New York with the RHMs to help her get through this hard time. She says, "Red Hot Mamas all the way, is what is helping me deal with this loss. With the love and friendship of the ladies in the Red Hot Mamas I will get through this year of missing her so much."

She sees a bright future of continued American Red Cross disaster relief service and finishing her Bachelor of Social Services degree. To others who experience the crushing absence of a cherished person in their lives she says, "Allow the emotions to rush over you. Acknowledge them, feel them, and let them go."

There are many organizations offering a boost of new life to participants. Be encouraged to get on out there and seize the day. The Mamas can be followed on Facebook and reached at www.rhmamas.com

• Meet Nancy Cotter

Age: 65

Married 35 years. Three sons.

Retired hairdresser, American Red Cross Volunteer with 10 years of service in National Disaster Relief

Education: Currently completing Bachelor degree in Social Services

Red Hot Mama: 4 years

Pet Peeve: Mean people

Highlights of her life: Placing 15th in the World Hairdressing Championships in New York and performing with RHM Macys Thanksgiving Day Parade in 2005

Enjoyments: Reading. Volunteering for Red Cross. Miniatures. Concerts. Blue. Hamburger and greasy fries. Movies with LARGE popcorn. Staying home.

RHM Besties: Friendship and fun. People I can count on who listen when I need them. Bringing joy to others. Pride in myself.

RHM Tuffies: Getting to practice