My Unique Packages - Christopher, Lauren, Natalie & Shawna

I am a proud mom to four children that all arrived in unique packages. My wish from young adulthood was to be a mother. God gave me so many opportunities to engage in that role. From about 21 to 32, I was dubbed the “neighborhood mom” and had a bunch of fun, exciting, beautiful children in and out of my home day and night. I even bought their favorite foods so I would have breakfast, lunch and/or dinner when they stopped by.  At 32 years old, I was handed my first official title of “step-mom” to my new husband’s two children. I was especially happy when I met him and he had two young kids that were adorable. My next chance at the ripe age of 40, I was blessed with a birth child. From inception to birth – another chapter to add to my life.  Then, to our surprise, my husband and I adopted a fourth child unexpectedly. It was an incredibly rewarding experience and she is a joy to us today.

These experiences shaped me into who I am today. Know that you may not have the “official” title of mother but anyone who plays a part in the positive development of a child is participating as a mother. Do you inspire a youth on the soccer field as a coach or a team parent? Did you teach a child how to plant something in your yard or how to cut the grass correctly. Do you engage a child in an incredible conversation about their dreams or how smart they are? If you passed by a little girl that fell and hurt herself and you showed tenderness or affection, guess what, you are maternal? We don’t have any clones out there because the village of people that step in each day for a child makes them unique with those encounters. I encourage you to reach outside of yourself and take a minute of your day to “mother” someone. It makes you feel so incredibly rich.

Happy Mother’s Day to all of you in this world that help raise a child to their full potential.