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Connie's Corner
Happy Mother’s Day to all of you who either ARE a Mother or Have a Mother!
I think that being a mother is the biggest and most significant job/privilege/opportunity/gift that any woman can have. There are several ways to become a Mother….the natural way, by getting married, getting pregnant then giving birth; by having or becoming a surrogate mother, by in vitro; by adoption; by becoming a step mother; by being a foster mother, or like me, just stepping in when the biological mother needs some help and support. There are some advantages to missing that 9 month gestation period and those labor pains! Whether we are single or married; we can become a mother.
At Valley Teen Ranch we are always looking for more foster mothers (and fathers) and adoptive mothers (and fathers) to step in after the birth mother delivers her child. Children are looking for mother’s that can love, nurture and care for them EVERYDAY here in the San Joaquin Valley and all over the world.
The children and youth in our homes are getting to experience having more than one mother, which is an interesting situation for us to fill. All of our female staff are substitute mom’s that do our best to show our kids that they are special, loved and not a mistake. We take pictures with them, help them wear cute and fashionable clothes, go to the prom, sign their report cards, take them to their doctor and dentist appointments, bake cookies for them, do the grocery shopping, clean the house, do their laundry, pray with them, go to church with them, take them on vacations or trips, deal with their drama, their cell phones, the internet, school projects, sports activities and dating. We are also helping them deal with their grief, anger, pain, discouragement, disappointment and normal, growing up kid issues. We are examples of healthy, fun-loving, beautiful women who love them, love the men in our lives, love Jesus, and are worried about how we look! They see us as we age….no more tight jeans, more face creams, coloring our hair, driving slower, becoming more environmentally conscious, recycling, participating in the local neighborhood watch programs, voting, praying, crying, dealing with the loss of our parents, volunteering in activities and getting our toes painted! That’s life with kids, family, and being a woman, right? We are teaching them how to grow up to become healthy and successful adults.
Your giving this month to Valley Teen Ranch helps us so we can continue to be Special Mothers to the Motherless in our care.
I’m praying for you, too, that your mother role either in your biological family or in someone else’s family will continue to be significant.
Be Strong and Have Courage,
Connie R. Clendenan, CEO Valley Teen Ranch
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