celebration OF
mothers
In honor of those women who nurture, comfort, carry, raise and love children, readers contributed their stories of precious and enduring bonds. Presented in partnership with AdventHealth for Women.
DYAN GOODMAN for JO GRUSHKA
If we could choose our mothers, I would most certainly choose mine. When we were growing up, she took us to museums, parks, and did arts and crafts. She pushed our sleds and saucers in the snow. She encouraged us to seek our dreams and believe in ourselves. And she always had our backs. Upon moving to Florida, she told the school principal that her girls would not be doing push-ups on the blacktop in dresses. Her turquoise convertible Bonneville had a white patent leather roof, and she had the GoGo boots and a white slicker to match. Emily Post would be thrilled to know that my mother exudes such grace and knowledge of etiquette that her friends continue to call her for proper advice. 56
orangeappeal.com
BARBARA LEZCANO SCOTT for PILAR LEZCANO
I met my mother at 12 days old. She lost her mother at 19, raised five siblings, had trouble conceiving, and adopted me at 40 after fleeing communist Cuba. She was forthcoming about my adoption despite advice to the contrary, and I am richer for it. Her strength, determination and resilience are a firsthand example of how to limitlessly look at the world, and her capacity for grace, as my birth mother entered my life, were the epitome of unconditional love. As I now raise three daughters, I pray I am as evolved in my capacity to love.
