Remembering mothers, honoring our mentors
For those of us who have lost our mothers — be it just recently, some years ago, or even in decades past — there is an ambivalence about Mother’s Day.
Yes, we have pictures, letters, diaries and various memorabilia to remind us of our maternal parent’s personality and of the times spent in conversation with or in the company of the individual who dedicated so much of her life to our well-being.
But, even so, we often and ardently wish for a few more minutes of seeing her face-to-face and listening to the familiar timbre of her voice.
And the older we are, the more we find ourselves using the same quotations to describe certain situations or being drawn more and more to the same interests she had.
We, our mothers’ daughters, reside in a world vastly different from theirs in myriad ways. And, yet, we have come to realize that these caring souls did their best to prepare us for the here and now — even though they could hardly fathom what was yet to come.
It is particularly challenging for an only child to be without her mother when facing truly difficult decisions, a serious illness, or setting the right course for all the tomorrows ahead.
That is when having numerous friends and mentors become especially important.
Personally speaking, I have been blessed throughout my adulthood with the company and counsel of many strong, thoughtful, goal-oriented, and kind women who have celebrated the hallmark occasions and also seen me through the stormy weather.
These women have rallied ‘round from different age groups and backgrounds; some have been sister journalists or from related career fields; several met in the neighborhood; others were or are educators like my namesake, Melynda Michelle Gidcomb, nee Muldoon.
One mentor, Dee McRae, was like a big sister in the Rho Alpha Chapter of Chi Omega at the University of Missouri from which we both received a Bachelor of Journalism degree. Long distance has not been a hindrance to our friendship of 61 years. Even now, I often seek her advice and welcome her input on a range of subjects.
Like our mothers, mentors are honest and open with us. Like our mothers, mentors tolerate our silliness and sometimes offbeat humor. And like our mothers, mentors are patient and always find moments to let us bend their ears and vent our frustrations.
Once more, I thank my mother, Mary Virginia Proctor Brown, for her devotedness and my many friends and mentors for continuing to shepherd me onward.
Bless you all on Mother’s Day.