
As a young mother, my mom was a single parent raising hard-headed daughters mostly alone. I don’t think I realized just how difficult that was for her until I got a little older and tried this adulthood thing on for size myself.
With two young children, she went back to college and got a teaching degree. She moved us a couple hours north of most of our family so we could attend school in one of the best districts in the state. She worked tirelessly and selflessly to make sure my sister and I had everything we needed (and wanted, within reason) to thrive.
Looking back, I know I didn’t thank her enough. No, we didn’t have the most expensive wardrobes or the biggest house. We didn’t always get the coolest new gadgets or the toys we waved in front of her in the store. But what we did have was a mother who loved us deeply, was always honest with us, and taught us that hard work will get you where you want in life; everything is earned and nothing is free.
As a teenager, I thought I knew all there was to know. I despised taking no for an answer from her and rarely accepted it as the final say when it went against my desires. She was tough, and so was I. I’m surprised she never smacked my hard head into next Sunday.
These days, I still don’t take no for an answer in many areas of life. The words “You can’t do that” are somewhat foreign to me. Because yes, I can! I inherited my strong will from my mama. When some people may have questioned her ability to make it on her own, she didn’t settle in with the doubt that might have crept in with a “no” from others. Because yes, she could.
My mother is brave. My mother is stubborn. She’s funny and blunt and loving and stern. I, too, am all those things. And I’m grateful for every ounce of her that I carry within me.
Let’s all take the time this month (and all year ’round) to thank our mothers for all they’ve given us.
Shara Clark
Editor