Celebrating extraordinary women this Mother’s Day

By STACY WOLFORD
swolford@yourmvi.com

As we celebrate Mother’s Day tomorrow, we honor the women who shaped us, nurtured us, taught us and showed us what life and love are about.

As each year flies by, I am reminded each Mother’s Day of the extraordinary women who have played an important role in the chapters of my life. From the wisdom and strength of my grandmother and mother, to the guidance, advice and friendship of my sister, aunts, cousins, colleagues and friends who have become family to me, I am fortunate to be surrounded by a constellation of extraordinary women whose legacies continue to inspire me every day.

Growing up, my mother, Joy Sethman, and grandmother, Marjorie (Rosborough) Johnston, guided me with their quiet strength and unwavering love, teaching me the importance of family, tradition and the power of perseverance in the face of adversity. Through every challenge and obstacle life threw at them, they embraced life with grace and dignity that continues to guide me today.

When I became a young mother, I didn’t have TikTok or social media to ask questions about caring for a newborn or to look for ways to navigate the anxiety and worry that comes with this new role. I had my mom and (former) mother- in-law, who answered every panicked middle-ofthe- night telephone call I made when one of my sons spiked a high fever. Their love, patience and priceless advice could never be found in a Google search or on social media.

My close circle of friends, each with their unique personalities and passions, have been a source of laughter, wisdom and unconditional love throughout my life. And they’ve never been afraid to deliver a dose of tough love when I needed it.

And, then there’s my career mentors and colleagues, Karen Peters, Ruth Yatsko and Helen Fallon — strong, talented journalists who paved the path for women like me to follow in their footsteps. Their guidance over the years, encouragement and belief in my potential have been invaluable as I’ve pursued my goals.

When I look back at my 30 years of being a journalist in the Mon Valley, I can remember so many stories I have been privileged to write about over the years.

I’m reminded of stories of triumph about mothers overcoming adversity such as abuse or addiction to create nonprofit organizations to help others, and mothers celebrating a cancer-free diagnosis for their child.

For every inspiring story I wrote there are so many others that still haunt me today. I have watched in awe many times while covering court trials as a mother stood in a courtroom to stare down the face of her child’s killer to demand justice. Or the stories of mothers never giving up hope to find their missing child or to help them recover from addiction.

A mother’s unwavering love and strength never cease to amaze me.

It’s hard to come up with another occupation in the world that can even come close to the complexity and joy that defines motherhood. It is equal parts pain and pleasure. There is no time out, no pause or reset button — and sometimes there’s no sleep involved either. And, like my Mom always reminds me, you never stop worrying about your kids no matter their age.

The amazing trait about many of the extraordinary women in my life over the years is that they are all not mothers — but they have mothered me in some way — and deserve the recognition and the gratitude that every mother merits.

Being a mother is about so much more than growing a baby for nine months — it’s about unconditional love and support, a listening ear and a shoulder to cry on.

It’s about encouragement, honesty and selflessness.

I am filled with gratitude for the phenomenal women who have shaped my past, empowered my present, and inspire my future. Their legacies are woven into the fabric of my identity, guiding me as I strive to leave my own mark on this crazy world.

So here’s to the extraordinary women who have touched my life and to all the mothers who continue to do the very best they can every day.

As many families will gather around the kitchen or dining room table to celebrate their moms and grandmothers, there will be many reminded of the void in their lives following the passing of their mother or due to estranged family relationships. Instead, we celebrate with happy memories that time hasn’t faded.

I hope my sons will always remember that no matter what, I love them unconditionally and always cared for them the best I could.

At the end of the day, that’s all us moms can do — our very best.

And, as I navigate my way through the 50s-era chapter of my life, I’ve come to realize being a mom is a lot like covering a never-ending breaking news story.

There’s always a new challenge, and there are bumps and obstacles, tears and joy, along the way.

But with the love of the amazing people in my life, I know somehow, someway, it will all work out fine in the end.

And it just might be the best story ever.

Stacy Wolford is managing editor of the Mon Valley Independent.