Mother's Day is not just for biological moms

Bringing three healthy sons into the world years ago was a feat of sorts. I did all the usual responsibilities of potty training, teaching right from wrong,loving them unconditionally, spending long evenings overseeing homework, healing broken hearts and then sending them away to college. I did it all.

When I resumed my teaching career the women I taught beside taught me the true meaning of unselfishness.You see the majority of these women made the decision not to marry and not to have biological children of their own. They gave daily of themselves to the central city child who needed extra maternal love, discipline and stability. These ladies provided a safe and nurturing environment for hundreds of kids struggling with broken homes and parents with addiction problems. They gave lessons in conscience, friendship, consequences and of course the three r's.

Anyone can give birth to a child but it takes a special person to step up to the plate and mother children in their care year after year. In most cases there is no immediate pay back...no thank you's. Sometimes if the teacher is lucky, the child visits yearly to show a great report card or an honor that was bestowed on him/her. Sometimes the effort is rewarded by a surprise visit years later by a boy or a girl wanting to just hug a favorite mentor. In most cases all the care and concern goes unheralded.

To all these extraordinary individuals....have a Happy Mother's Day!!! Without your daily dedication year after year, our urban children would not have the opportunities to flourish.