"A mother is not a person to lean on but a person to make leaning unnecessary."
-- Dorothy Canfield Fisher

Yesterday we bid goodbye to my auntie Nel who went her way to Alaska to be with her daughters and grandchildren. Although we were not that close, my aunt sure did marked something on me. Everytime I get to have short talks with her, she never fails to crack a joke and then tell casual stories about motherhood and relationships. She seems to make motherhood lighter with her sense of humor and wisdom.

Yesterday, as I hugged her she told me "Always remember that motherhood is two-way. You let them take their choices - you don't dictate. Specially yours are boys."

I thought for a moment, yeah...parents are responsible in guiding children, not to the extent of imposing your every will for them. We don't own their lives, we just guide them in living their lives to the fullest.

I will surely miss Auntie Nel.
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