Coretta Clarke, Contributor
Coretta with her daughter Danielle. - Contributed
MOST OF us were brought up with the belief that sex should only be within the confines of a marriage, hence our belief that children should be borne from a married couple. That belief has stayed with me well into my adolescent life, and it was not until I found myself pregnant and unwed at the age of 20 that reality actually sank in.
My initial reaction was one of anger, despair and confusion. The hardest part was telling my family. As the sixth of 10 children, I never imagined that I would be the first to make my parents grandparents. I, however, mustered up the courage to tell them with the help of an aunt visiting from Canada. They were a bit upset at first but that quickly turned to concern. I then found myself mulling over the prospect of being a parent.
GAINING INSIGHT
Getting insight into what was happening to me was the first step. I then threw myself in with all my resources which forced me to quickly grow up and to take responsibly for myself and my unborn child.
Like most other people, I too had my share of uncertainties and insecurities about the unknown. It showed me the many obstacles and hurdles I would have to pass through, the barriers I would have to break down and the many doors I would have to open for myself.
During this time, everywhere I turned everyone had tales of motherhood. These stories were usually unpleasant. I then disassociated myself from the negative ones, trying not to let them warp my prospects of being a good mother.
THE BEST DAY OF MY LIFE
The best day of my life so far, was the day my daughter Danielle James was born -- November 7, 1993, at 1:05 a.m. I was overjoyed as most of my uncertainties had given way to anxiety. The nurses had a hard time convincing me to get some rest, but I was too busy looking at my daughter, checking to make sure all the little fingers, toes and other parts were intact. She was, and still is, adorable.
That was nine years ago. Today, Danielle has certainly come full circle, and with the help from both sides of her family, has matured into an intelligent, assertive, adorable and pleasant child. I was, and still am, fortunate to have a great support system at home. My only regret in being a parent is not being able to provide a home where both mother and father are present as her father lives abroad. However, he's constantly in touch through visits and phone calls. I've also surrounded her with positive male and female role models.
I have had no regrets about being a mother or having more children, I am proud to be a mother in every sense of the word and I know that with God's guidance and protection I will continue to excel.
As mothers, our work is never done as we are indeed a blessing to the nation. Whether you are a single mother, grandmother, stepmother or are viewed as a motherly figure, I salute you all on Mother's Day -- and always.
Have a Happy Mother's Day.
