May 2024 – Sharon’s Shorts

As Mother’s Day approaches, I am reminded of the invaluable role mothers play in our lives. They are our first nurturers, guides, and pillars of strength. Mother’s Day offers us a specific day to express our gratitude and appreciation for everything they do. However, beyond the flowers and cards lies a deeper significance – the importance of connectedness.

I was blessed to have an amazing relationship with my mom. She was my best friend, loudest supporter, excellent challenger, great listener, had a wicked sense of humor, and taught me so many lessons, including some of the most deeply felt ones at the very end of her life. As I get older with adult children of my own, I understand the profound impact our attachment had on my own foundation of life and parenting.

This understanding of connectedness was further reinforced at our recent Child Abuse Prevention Conference, themed “Making the Prevention Connection.” Each presenter empowered the participants, but it was Vanessa McNeal’s closing keynote, “You Can’t Climb a Smooth Mountain,” that left the greatest impression on me. Her challenge to question what locks we believe still exist, despite being nonexistent, resonated deeply. Relying only on our memory of how things have been, our learning/curiosity drops to zero. Wow! Imagine how limiting those locks are on the children and families we work with.

As we celebrate mothers this season, let’s go beyond mere expressions of gratitude. Let’s work towards a world where every family feels loved, respected, and connected. When we cherish and nurture these bonds, we can build a kinder, more inclusive society for all.

Celebrating all Moms,