Mothering Without A Mother

My mother, Beverly Paulino, instilled in me the foundations of my faith, character, and genuine concern for others. I cherished her unconditional love every day of my life. She gave me strength when my own children needed boundaries. She gave me relief when I needed to take care of myself. She was my best friend with whom I shared my joys and frustrations of my marriage and my mothering. She cared for my children Monday through Friday, every week since they were each three months old. There was absolutely no way for me to fully express my gratitude for her angelic ways. On the day she died, I remember being driven to her house and all I could think was, "Why her? Why now? What am I going to do without her?" I know, how selfish of me. But honestly, it was the beginning of my realization of my role as a mother. I truly became my children's mom when I no longer could be dependent on my own mom. And now, I depend on her never-ending love to carry me through all I face as a parent. My mom is with me every day. She lives on in our traditions, recipes, and funny stories. If you can, hug or call your mom today. And after writing this, I may need a hug too!