This is the day we, as African Americans, should give a "standing ovation" to all the Black mothers out there.
You know who you are. You're the Birth Mom, Foster Mom, Stepmother, Grandmother, Godmother, "Big Mama," Neighbor, Teacher, Auntie, "Big Cousin," Sunday School Teacher, Hairdresser, Social Worker, Doctor, Defense Attorney, Nurse, and Big Sister, who has taken the time and money to make a difference in a black child's life.
When I think about how much I miss my own mama, I also think about how many other women, many of whom never bore children of their own, made an impact on my life. I should have told them when I had the chance. I was too young to realize that they wouldn't always be around.
Somehow, I think they must have known. They had to have known. Why else would they bother to ask my mama if they could take me to church with them or "do my hair" or let me come over and spend time with their children?
It wasn't that my mother wasn't present. She was very much present and "hands-on" in my life. Both my parents were. And strict. To a fault. But she also worked. Trying to run a small business with my daddy wasn't easy and iron wears out. So, when on those rare occasions when she might have "overlooked" something that could make a difference, there were neighbors, friends and my big sister to step in.
Oh, and before I give a big old Mother's Day Shout-Out, I have to say "thank you" to the woman who pierced my ears and all the little black girls' ears in the neighborhood (for free) before we got so "fancy" and started having the doctor do it. Because in my day, a little black girl having her ears pierced was a "rite of passage."
Every day should be Mother's Day, but thanks to Hallmark for putting special emphasis on the Second Sunday in May!
