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CAN ONE WOMEN MAKE A DIFFERENCE
By Luella Redfern | Continued From Page 13
has a tremendous impact on how the culture is ultimately shaped. Can one woman make a difference? Yes. The emotional availability of a birth mother’s, adoptive mother’s, foster mother’s or grandmother’s love is vital to the foundation of the emotional intimacy in a child’s life. I remember when Jasmine came to live with us at the age of one. One of the first things we were told by the pediatric counselor was that she needed to connect with me as her mother. I was instructed to be her mother in every sense of the word. To love her as my own and to reassure her that I love her and I will always be there for her. A mother teaches her children their first lessons of love.
My mother was the first lover of my life. She was also my first teacher. She and my dad gave my sibling and me a strong foundation. Our home life growing up wasn’t perfect and sometimes it wasn’t peaceful, but my moth- er’s influence helped mold me to become the woman I am today. Even though she did not always agree with the road to which my path of life has taken me, I know she is proud of me as she is of the accomplishments of all her children. I learned the value and principles of
life and the importance of family from my mother. Her unconditional love created a special bond, which is a life-long gift.
As women, it is very important for us to support and encourage one another, exam- ining our own attitudes and expectations acknowledging the fact that one woman can make a negative difference as well as a positive difference. Women, especially young women, may benefit by observing an older more mature woman. Be a posi- tive role model. Encourage young women when they are trying to figure out what they want to do with their lives. Teach them to be leaders. Help them to make the right choice the first time.
My older sister has always been my role model. I watched how she put everything our mother taught us about raising a fam- ily, cooking and cleaning house into action. I learned about boys and dating from her. Once I copied a part of a love letter to her husband when they were dating which said, “Love is a letter to read and re-read, a touch of tender loving care.” “Love is pa- tient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does
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March 2015
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