thank you, mom

every day is mother's day. for without that woman, where would we be? i know that today should not be the only day we give thanks to those special women in our world's who gave us life, lessons and laughter. some believe that children choose their parents thus making their journeys through life whether good or bad a journey they needed to go on and searched out. my life has made this believable to me as i feel that nothing that has occurred in my life has been too great or devastating to deal with as hard as times were. the death of my mother in 1986 makes mother's day a somewhat difficult day for me. not because she isn't here, but because on this day, i reflect a bit more and oftentimes a bit deeper into myself, her life and journey up until her death. i unrolled a copied sheet of photos today and discovered this photo of my mother, Carolyn, i'm guessing in her early years (maybe 5 or so) and was taken by her maturity and beauty even at such an early age. 

i am blessed to have at least 5 women in my life that i would consider to be my "Mother". that feminine figure that helps lead, support and nurture the child in me. this day is for all of them. the memories shared with each of them make me feel a deep desire to share how they have each helped enrich my life's journey. today i thank each of you for making me the woman i am today. 

My life is a testament to those women in my life. Like the African proverb said, "It takes a village to raise a child." I am an example of this quote and thank all of my surrogate mother's who continue to believe in me even when i may not believe in me. thank you for keeping me in your thoughts and prayers and most of all, for loving me.