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The Other Mothers – Celebrating Special Women this Mother’s Day

On Mother’s Day, we pay tribute to our own mothers and grandmothers as a way of thanking them for the sacrifices they made for us growing up. But there are other women who have made an impact on your life, or the lives of children, that deserve to be honored on that special day in May.

I have a friend who had a wonderful relationship with her mother-in-law for nearly 20 years, before she passed away. She shared with me that she felt closer to her than her own mother—calling her “my other mother.” To show how much her other mother meant to her, for Mother’s Day my friend would give her yellow roses (her favorite) and take her to a fancy lunch. It became a sweet Mother’s Day tradition.

Often, we are distant from our own mothers, either by miles or by circumstance –and other women in our lives fill that void. And then there are those special women whose stories inspire all of us. Barette Best is one of those women …

Barette worked for me many years ago in my hair salons in Las Vegas and I recently learned that she is a surrogate for a family who couldn’t have children of their own. Barette has her own two children, ages two and six. When I recently caught up with her she told me that she made the decision to be a surrogate because “the most important thing in my life is being a mom.”  Barette feels that being a surrogate is a way for her to give back – a thank you for all the joy she’s experienced being a mother.

But that sacrifice hasn’t always been an easy road. She had to go through IVF treatments and get shots, and is now on bed rest in the hospital for the remainder of her pregnancy. Though she’s had some struggles, Barette says she doesn’t regret the decision. “It’s so cool being able to help another couple have a family. It’s been quite the journey — definitely rewarding!”

As Mother’s Day approaches, consider all of the women in your life who have inspired you—and let them know!

Margaret

Mother’s Day Factoid

The idea of Mother’s day started in 1908 with Anna Jarvis of West Virginia, to honor her recently departed mother – who had voiced the hope that sometime there would be a day to commemorate all mothers.

Posted by Margaret Page in Newsletters.