HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY - A REFLECTION ON MOTHERHOOD
- May 10
- 3 min read
"No language can express the power and beauty and heroism of a mother’s love." - Edwin Chapin
What does it take to be a mother?
It takes love—deep, unconditional love. It takes patience, strength, and the ability to wear many hats: counselor, chef, chauffeur, nurse, supervisor, teacher….and sometimes even comedian. Motherhood is a role that evolves, stretches you, and shapes you in ways you never quite expect.
My son Ryan.
When I found out I was expecting my son Ryan (Jermaine to family and close friends) 19 years ago, I felt a mix of surprise, excitement, and anticipation. I couldn’t wait to meet him. I wondered what he would be like… and quietly, I wondered if I would be a good mother.
From the moment he arrived, he brought a light into our lives—his intelligence, curiosity, and that sweet little boy charm that's still there. As a mother, you love your child with everything you have. You want to protect them, guide them, and give them every opportunity to grow into the best version of themselves.
Family Photos of Mommy with me, my sisters, and the grandchildren.
Motherhood is both beautiful and humbling.
Looking back on my own childhood, I remember my mother being strict. At the time, I didn’t always understand it—or appreciate it. But as I grew older, and especially after becoming a mother myself, everything came full circle. I realized that her strictness was rooted in love, protection, and a deep desire to see us succeed. That perspective changes you. It teaches you that most mothers are simply doing the best they can with what they have, trying to guide their children safely through life.
I am incredibly grateful for my mother. Even now, at my grand age of 50 years old, she still calls to check on me and Jermaine—and that, in itself, is a reminder that motherhood never really ends.
Last year brought a different kind of perspective for me. After my mother experienced a series of strokes, I found myself stepping into the role of caregiver. It was a season filled with uncertainty, long days, and moments that reminded me just how fragile life can be.
But it was also a season that deepened my appreciation for her in a way I can’t fully put into words.
To be able to care for the woman who once cared for me… to be present, to support her, and to see her strength through it all—it shifted something in me. It reminded me that motherhood doesn’t just flow in one direction. Over time, it becomes something shared, something returned. I am thankful to say she is doing well now ("exceptionally well" as she says), and I don’t take a single moment for granted.
Ryan (Jermaine) and I over the years.
Motherhood has taught me compassion in ways I didn’t expect. It has also shown me how closely our children are watching us—even when we think they aren’t. It’s in the small, quiet moments that you realize something you said or did made an impact. Those moments reassure me that I am on the right path in guiding Ryan.
Being a mother is a lifelong commitment. It doesn’t come with a manual, but it comes with purpose.
Today, I celebrate all mothers—the nurturers, the protectors, the teachers, the ones who show up every single day in ways big and small. We carry a role that lasts a lifetime… and I wouldn’t change it for anything.
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