She Colors My Day

The relationship between a mother and daughter is a dynamic that cant be explained. It is quite different from that of a mother and son and even that of a father and son. The mom and daughter team is unstoppable but can also have such opposition.

I grew up in a single parent home. My mother was the soul provider to two daughters. Imagine that household of 3 women hahaha the estrogen was flowing. But my mother deserves the utmost respect. She did a damn good job of raising my sister and I if I do say so myself.

I must admit growing up I wasn't the easiest child to deal with. I have always been opinionated and would never hold my tongue for anyone, my mother included. Although it frustrated my mother and I ended up on punishment many nights, she never once tried to change me. While others compared me to my sister, she continued to foster my own identity and helped me become the strong women I am today. She made sure I could cook, and clean (although this is my least favorite thing of all) and most importantly she made sure I valued education.

My mother worked hard to give us things and make up for the fact that my dad lived states away. She not only made it happen with us but she was and still is a major factor in the lives of our family. She worked all day and came home and cooked dinner for my sister and I as well as my 2 younger cousins (who are more like sisters). Saturday mornings were filled with great breakfasts, home fries biscuits eggs and sausage, or pancakes and french toast. We never had cereal or things like ravioli, mommy made sure she cooked daily.

When I finally got old enough to tend for myself my mom enrolled in school. To my surprise we would graduate together from college LOL me on sunday and she on thursday. She shows me that nothing should ever stand in the way of your dreams. She taught me that although there is struggle you will get what you want as long as you work hard for it.

I am now a mother and my daughter cherishes my mom. In her words "Nana Loves me the most" LOL. She has been such a help in my life and is a wonderful grandmother. My only wish is to be half the mother she is and be able to teach Jade the same things she has taught me. I love my mother greatly and would like to thank her for all of the sacrifices and hard work.

Many of us take advantage of our parents! But please be sure to stop and say thank you, tell them how much you appreciate and love them. I know I will be doing so tonight and I will be smiling bright as I watch my mom get married this summer.

I wrote this post today in honor of the She Colors my Day Project.



* The she colors my day project began when a mother named Annette, dying of breast cancer, created a keepsake for the four daughters she was preparing to leave behind. Annette sent a c.d. of she and her daughters singing to her many friends and family. Unbeknown to Annette, her act of love would
be the inspiration for her friend, Cristina Carlino, founder of Project Miracle and former CEO of philosophy, to ignite the she colors my day movement - a celebration of the never-ending bonds of mothers and daughters. The now worldwide she colors my day movement embarks upon a global journey to create for a cure.