This year, my own place as mother has come to fore. My son left for college and my dad (for whom my son was his first grandbaby) passed away. Here it is: Mother’s Day – a day that can trigger many emotions and spotlight family frailties.
On my Friday drive home from the office, I cranked the NPR. This radio essay by 18-year-old Chicagoan and Curie High School Youth Radio project participant Natalie Marquez hit some nerves, even for this old bird. While the piece holds no obvious gay content, its appeal is universal, summing up the often painful transition between mama’s little baby and self-actualization – and all the spikes and edges and potholes that can appear on the relationship road. I thought about the thousands of gay kids in our area who feel alienated from their families – perhaps even moreso on this holiday – due to lack of acceptance.
Thank goodness for OutYouth, PFLAG, gay-straight alliances, and groups like Atticus Circle, who all demonstrate that not everyone has miles to go on the path to love: Some folks already truly embrace who you are.
The best gift a child can give mom and the best gift a mom can give her kids is love and honesty and a confidence to know that no matter what self-expression or identity, the love between a mother and child is unconditional.
Happy Mother’s Day, y’all.
This article appears in May 9 • 2008.