Written by Jameca Patrick-Singleton
On Christmas Eve 2022, my family was dealt a devastating blow when we lost my beloved aunt, Dr. Barbara Young. In the days leading up to her homecoming service, one thing became abundantly clear; Dr. Young was a part of the village that raised many people. From her siblings (who lost their own mom to death at a very early age), to her own kids, grandkids, nieces and nephews, even the neighborhood kids, the story was all too familiar. There were tales of people being fed, clothed, housed, prayed for and everything in between. She was a mother to every person she met, whoever needed a mother at that moment.
While Dr. Young is unique to me and my family, her story is not. Women mothering children, both children they’ve given birth to and children they’ve gained along the way, is not uncommon. Most of us can recall a woman who has been a part of the village that raised us, fed us, prayed for us. So, as we celebrate Mother’s Day this May 14, let us remember the women of our village and let us celebrate the women who raised us.
