She taught me to be colour blind. Skin colour was never part of a conversation in our house that I ever remember. Looking back now I realize our closest friends ranged through a rainbow of skin tones and it was completely irrelevant. Watching her, it was clear to me that a person's character was more important than where they were born or the language they spoke.
She taught me to never stop learning. Our house was always filled with books of every kind. Her bookshelf introduced me to the magical words of Farley Mowat, Ogden Nash, Pierre Berton, Robert Heinlein, Arthur C Clarke and Isaac Asimov to name only a few. In her forties, she took the initiative to go back to school to pursue a degree - which she completed with honors. Nothing was ever off-limits and no knowledge was ever bad.
She taught me to love unconditionally. You know how in many communities there is that one woman that every kid calls "Mom"? There was that one house you could go to when you were too scared to go anywhere else? That was my mom. Our doors were never locked and she always had time for everyone - particularly youth. That inevitably led her to youth ministry and the hundreds of young adult lives she guided. She never placed judgement, never criticized, never blamed. She was one of the best listeners I have ever had the privilege of knowing.
She taught me to respect all living things. I grew up engulfed in the stories and the history of the Inuit, Haida, Salish and Maori cultures. The first children's story I remember was how Kiwi sacrificed his wings to save the forest floor. I learned about Raven and Whale and how all the animals have a heart and sole. I was taught to care for and protect the world around me.
She taught me faith. "All will be well" is written on her grave marker. That may sound ironic but it is one of the most important lessons I ever learned from her. She moved forward through difficult times on the raw belief that it all works out in the end. Raw faith.
My experience with her shaped my understanding of the word "Mother". It means strength, protection, knowledge, and faith. It does not require the act of childbirth or any genetic connection at all. A Mother is caring and loving and enduring.
I hope you are blessed to have someone in your life you can call Mother.
Happy Mother's Day.
