The Power of Family is a Strong, Unshakeable Force That Holds Things Together When Life Gets Tough

My Mom had faith in me, regardless of the challenges

Feb 14

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I grew up in a large family.

Five siblings, aunts and uncles, grandparents, and cousins galore. I spent time with all of them because my parents — and their brothers and sisters — kept the familial connections intact.

Holidays and special events were a major undertaking — at least that’s what it seemed like to me. But my mom made it appear effortless, often pulling together a gathering of thirty or forty family members with ease.

Looking back, it’s hard to imagine how she juggled six boisterous kids, a husband with two jobs (to support all those kids), and took on a successful part-time gig selling Avon, all while managing school and sports schedules, meals, and the household budget.

Sometimes I wonder if she ever got any sleep.

Dispensing occasional and necessary guidelines of conduct, my mom made sure my siblings and I had no question about the rules.

They were clear, and if we bent or broke them, consequences were sure to follow. Even so, her corrective influence wasn’t always immediate or obvious.

My mom was much too smart for that. She knew the aftermath of our actions would come to us naturally — and usually with a huge dose of regret.

As a referee, confidant, manager, and disciplinarian, my mom balanced equality, diversity, and conscientious choices — all while bringing up an eclectic bunch of kids still trying to figure out their place in the family, much less the world.

Frequently expanding her role beyond that associated with traditional parenting, she was my friend, mentor, and guidance counselor — an effective leader of the pack who always maintained her family’s respect and confidence.

She was my go-to person when my ego and knees were bruised.

Not an easy task.

The results of her influence? My older siblings have grown up to be generous and patient while maintaining their own personalities and goals.

My younger siblings are independent, strong, and often face life’s daily challenges by asking, “What would Mom do?”

Through all of it, my mom was always the one constant — the unshakeable force that held our group together.

Her unmatched skill and patience continue to inspire me.

And Valentine’s Day has always been the perfect time to honor her.

I learned early on that, while my mom appreciated my well-meaning, youthful efforts to produce hand-made cards, what was most important to her were hugs, smiles, and my vocal expression of how much she meant to me.

She’s been gone 15 years now, yet I think of her every day as if she’s right beside me — holding my hand and calming my fears and uncertainty, supporting my direction and choices with confidence and trust.

My mom — my valentine.

In health & happiness,

Jill Reid

Jill Reid is the author of Real Life, Discover Your Personal Truth, Life in Small Doses, and Please God, Make Me A Writer. Her books, videos, and newsletter explore life, relationships, self-improvement, health, and personal success strategies for working through the challenges of everyday life.