Motherhood, in all of its many forms, offers each woman the opportunity to embrace, encourage and enhance the future. Being a mother, however, is not always about giving birth.

My mother was given up for adoption by a 34-year old woman who had 32 brothers and sisters, as well as an 18-month old daughter that she kept. I believe that it was a mother’s love that gave a childless couple a baby of their own.

When my mom’s adopted mother died of ovarian cancer, “Mother Superior” stepped in. My mom was only nine years old when she went to live at her Catholic boarding school, but soon her best friend's mother took her in and made her part of the family...that woman also became my Godmother.

My father was in Vietnam when my mother gave birth my older sister, with the help of her new mother-in-law (my grandma), mother number five in her life.

Although my parents divorced when I was seven, I received my second mother second mother six months later. After all, my dad had four children to father and mother. My step-brother made five and then a half-sister years later completed our flock of six children.

Having two mothers was not what I had dreamed about as a child, but it has been a blessing to have two mothers to learn from and share with. I did not always take advantage of the blessings, but have learned to accept, grow and become a better person with the guidance and direction of two very different women...both of whom I call mom.

When I became a mother at the age 20, I started to see myself as a mother first and a woman second. Then I met my husband and was blessed with yet another mother, my mother-in-law. Kevin and I were unable to have a child together, but I embraced his two children and welcomed them into my heart as their “second” mom. I know it will only be a few years before I am a grandmother, yet another important role of mother.

Sadly, I lost my mom "Queen" last September, of AMML Leukemia. She was gone in less than a week after she was diagnosed at a regular doctor's appointment. This was my first Mother's Day without her. But, I am comforted knowing where she is and that we said all there was to say and do before her passing. In fact, I still think often of the last two things she said to me...as she drifted in and out of a coma..."Thank you for your goodness and kindness"...and, after trying to rouse her for hours, I leaned down and told her "I love you" one last time...she whispered back, without opening her eyes, "I love you, too." What else does a daughter need to know? What else does a mom need to say?

I can honestly say that being a mother is the best part of being…it makes you laugh, cry and pray…sometimes all at the same time. Mothers are simply women who open their hearts to others and love unconditionally and, yes, sometimes unconventionally. The manner of motherhood is less important than the method of motherhood.

Here is an impertinent and wonderful picture of my mom, horsing around with her camera-in-hand-so-she-doesn't-have-to-be-in-the-picture daughter!