A Tribute to Mothers Everywhere

On Sunday May 8th, we pay tribute to mothers the world over - biological mothers, adoptive mothers, stepmothers, foster mothers, and anyone else, regardless of gender, who fills the role of mother in someone's life. Our Director of Community Development, Nancy Bird, offers the following thoughts about her own mother, and the valuable life lessons her mother taught her while growing up.

I don’t know what I would do without my mom. She is probably the strongest woman I know. She didn’t go to college until my sister and I were old enough to take care of ourselves at least a little, but she is smart (she doesn’t think so, but I know she is).

My mom came from a very modest family with its own kind of dysfunctions. She was teased as a kid because she was tall and big-boned – after all, we come from good farm stock. But you know what? She is the kindest, most generous person you could meet. She and my dad both remind me on a daily basis that who we are is not defined by what school we went to, what job we have, where we live or who we know. Who we are is truly about what we believe in and how we live our life.

I was blessed in that my parents gave me everything I could possibly have needed in this world. I didn’t have a computer or a cell phone and I remember the day we got a colour tv, so clearly it wasn’t the physical stuff.

What my mom gave and continues to give me is permission to be myself – the good and the bad; she has given me the understanding I needed when I made mistakes that I’m sure she knew I would make; she has demonstrated that even though we think we are imperfect, someone thinks differently; she have given me the experience of unconditional love.
This Mother’s Day I want to thank my mom for helping me become me. I couldn’t have done it without her. The greatest gift I can give her is to do the same for my children. So, mom, no matter how old I get and how independent I seem, I love you and need you every day. Thank you for teaching me the most important things in life – without even knowing you were doing it.

Nancy Bird
Director, Community Development