Most people don’t know that you
didn’t start out as my mother, but
rather that you took that job on when no one else wanted it. I don’t remember being three months old, but I
do know that’s how old I was when you agreed to babysit me for a friend who
would never return to pick me up. I know
that it would have been much easier for a poor family with no children of their
own at the time to turn me over to some social services agency where I would
have probably been placed in Foster Care, but you didn’t do that. Not only did you not turn me in to Social
Services, at some point, you decided that if no one else wanted me, that you
would take me in and raise me as your own child. That
is and always will be the luckiest day of my life!
In the years after you took me in,
you gave birth to four more children, and I had to share you with two brothers
and two sisters, but I was always the special one, because I was your
oldest. I can still remember the day when
I was 12 and another kid wanted to hurt my feelings and blurted out “your momma
ain’t your momma, you’re adopted”. Evidently
she had overheard an adult conversation about me and couldn’t resist the
opportunity to try and use it against me. Not only did you not allow that to be used
against me, or allow me to feel sorry for myself, I remember like yesterday the
conversation that we had about what it means to be a parent. I remember you explaining to me that mothers
and fathers are the people who love you and provide for you, parents are the
people who teach you right from wrong, and they’re not always the ones who give
birth to you.
Mom, I am who I am today in large
part because of the lessons you taught me all those years ago. You were the person who taught me to believe
in myself, to have confidence and not allow anyone to discourage or tell me
what I couldn’t do in life. You were the
person who taught me that education was essential to success in America and
that learning to read and write well would serve me well throughout life. You were the person who told me that there
is no substitute for hard work and determination, that quitting could never be
an option if I really wanted to be successful.
When the bullies tried to push me around because I was small and skinny,
you were the person who made me stand up to them, who wouldn’t let me back down
even if I had to pick up a stick or a brick to defend myselfJ
You were the person who taught me that it wasn’t enough to just defend
myself, but to stand up for those who were too weak to stand for themselves, to
assist those less fortunate than I and never forget where I started in
life. You were the first person to tell
me that I should always strive to be the very best at everything I do, to work
especially hard at the things I was weak on, and work while my competition slept
if necessary. When others complained
about the disadvantages of color or other obstacles, you taught me that the
only person who could ever really hold me back would be looking back at me in
the mirror every morning and to this day, I consider that one of my most
important lessons ever.
I can know of no one with more
strength and courage than you! Over the
years you’ve lost a husband, two sons and several sisters, but you always
stayed strong. Despite a stroke, the
loss of one leg and numerous other ailments, you have always remained upbeat, positive
and strong. I have no doubt that like
most of us you have bad days, but frankly I’ve never seen you on those days, so
for me they don’t exist.
You used to say that God takes care
of children and fools, but I think that God puts people like you in the lives
of children and fools to ensure our growth.
You took care of me when I couldn’t take care of myself, and every time
that I’ve come to you with a problem or question you had the answer. Even though I sometimes didn’t like your
answers, one thing remained constant, you were always proved to be right.
God has blessed me with many gifts
throughout my life, but nothing compares to the gift of bringing you into my
life. You’re the best mother that any
child could ever have, and I just want you to know how much I admire and love
you. Thank you for the sacrifices that
you made for me, for the love you’ve always shown me and for being my mother
all these years.
Happy Mothers Day!
Sincerely,
Your eldest sonCharles
