Our Mothers, Our Daughters: Divas That Care Collection, #2

By Candace Gish

The mother-daughter relationship defines who we are, how we view ourselves, and what we want for our lives. Much like this multi-faceted relationship, the lessons in Our Mothers, Our Daughters are strong, yet soft. Through a collection of curated stories, readers journey alongside moms and daughters as they share poignant moments and messages of an everlasting bond. A Divas That Care anthology, this book showcases the collaboration and celebration of women and is presented in three collections: Connection, Inner Self, and Unconditional Love.

 

Contributors: Cheryl Ashton, Michelle Bateman, Jacqueline Biollo, Lynn Carnes and Jennifer Maneely, Sheba Cummings, Jerri Dexter, Beth Draper, Gia-Raquel Esposito, Meredith Ethington, Adriana Gavazzoni, Jennifer Herron, Daisy Kabagarama, Jean Kanokogi, Irena Kay, Carol Koppelman, Noleen Mariappen, Mandy McLaughlin, Giuliana Melo, Peggy and Kate Neligan, Kathleen Bayes Ogilvie, Brenda Pearce, Rosanna Pittella, Rose Simard, and Juanita Wilson.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Absolute Love Publishing
• Release date: May 9, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215587010

Book preview

Dedication

To mothers and daughters everywhere: we are about you, for you, and with you every step of the way. Stay strong.

Preface

Each of the stories in Our Mothers, Our Daughters is not just one story – but millions. Some may belong to you and some to people you know, but collectively they are the universal story of motherhood. The stories are both heartmending and heartbreaking, and they express so many of the real-life elements we might usually tend to hide or not discuss openly.

This is why I decided to create this book. I wanted to share these stories so women can see that, while we all have a unique expression to our stories, we are also very similar. I want us to recognize that we are not alone in these struggles. I also want us to recognize that the struggles we experience don’t define us. In other words, the struggles you experience are not you.

The entire Divas That Care program is dedicated to just that. We have hundreds of stories online for anyone to listen to, sharing the joys and the hardships of life. Our podcasts unite people from across the world, and each of my amazing Divas has inspired me to be a collector of these stories. I want the world to hear their stories – just as I want the world to hear you.

My goal for this book was to bring together some of these stories with a similar theme: mothers and daughters.

This brings me to another inspiration of mine – my mother, who always looks out for me. Although we are physically miles away, we are so close. I miss her dearly and hate every moment that I can’t spend with her. She also is a huge supporter of my other inspirations: my daughters. My mother loves and cherishes them just as I do, and for that I am forever thankful.

Intro

Our Mothers, Our Daughters is separated into three sections: Connection, Inner Self, and Unconditional Love. The stories within these sections reflect these themes, and each section includes action steps, affirmations, and journal prompts. I wrote these prompts in the hopes that you as a reader will take a deeper dive into your own relationships and life’s journey and discover how you can further improve yourself and your relationships. You can write in the book or use a notebook.

While this book doesn’t share the answers to life’s greatest secrets, it can help you open a window into your own heart and into the hearts of those you love.

Try your best to be bold with the action steps, emotionally engage with the affirmations, and ponder the journal prompts. Connect these concepts with your mother and daughter relationships. And remember to have fun!

Gifts from Heaven

Akiiki D. Kabagarama

God made mothers and daughters.

Mothers and daughters are gifts to behold.

Mothers and daughters are beautiful and intelligent.

Mothers and daughters create, lead, inspire, and motivate.

Mothers and daughters renew the earth.

Blessings be upon our mothers and daughters.

Table of Contents

Connection

Alethea³ – Jacqueline Biollo

One, TWO! – Sheba Cummings

Me and My Girls – Beth Draper

The Cycle Continues – Irena Kay

Mom Born, Birthed, Raised, Loved – Carol Koppelman

Mom and Me: Me and Mom – Kathleen Bayes Ogilvie

My Daughter, My Valentine – Brenda Pearce

Inner Self

But You’re Supposed to Love Me – Michelle Bateman

A Flash of My Smile – Meredith Ethington

A Relationship Not Made in Heaven – Adriana Gavazzoni

I Threw My Mother through the Wall – Jean Kanokogi

My Biggest Cheerleader – Noleen Mariappen

Metaphysical Musings – Peggy and Kate Neligan

A Study in Golden Rule and Persistence – Rosanna Pittella

What I Wouldn't Change  – Rose Simard 

Unconditional Love

Unconditional Love: The Teenage Years – Cheryl Ashton

When Trust Is Lost – Lynn Carnes and Jen Maneely

My Daughter: The Warrior – Jerri Dexter

Champagne at Christmas – Gia-Raquel Esposito

My Beautiful Miracle – Jennifer Herron

Tight Rope – Mandy McLaughlin

My Mother, My Friend – Giuliana Melo

Mothers and Daughters – Juanita Wilson

Contributor Bios

Absolute Love Publishing Books

CONNECTION

Author Candace Gish:

When I was 17, I left home. My mother and I never had great communication skills. We fought constantly about anything and everything, never understanding what the other wanted. Transitioning into adulthood changed a lot of my perspectives on life, and, at some point, my relationship with my mother healed. I honestly don’t know when or how it happened, but she ended up being my greatest supporter through the first stages of adulthood. She was by my side when it felt like the whole world was against me.

It's funny how life changes. It felt like one moment my mother and I were enemies who would never see eye to eye. In the next moment, I was in the hospital, giving birth to my first daughter. My mother was the one beside me then — she was the first to hold my daughter in her arms. It was like our relationship locked into place and became whole and real.

Like most mothers, I look to my childhood self and compare those feelings to my daughters. I want my daughters to always know I love them. I want them to know they can always talk to me. I want to be the first one to hold their babies — just like my mother did for me.

Alethea³

Jacqueline Biollo, MBA, ICD.D

The name Alethea means truth. Spanning three generations and a lifetime of memorable (and truthful) moments, my mother, daughter, and I share this middle name, which has helped root our relationship.

Recently, I celebrated a milestone birthday, as did my daughter Madison. She had been living out of province and attending university for a couple of years, and we took this opportunity to reconnect by embarking on a mother-daughter road trip to New York. Much like the city built from a diverse background, my experience as a mother and a daughter affords me experiences that are thrilling and disheartening, depending on the situation.

We were just coming out of a global pandemic, where societal change wreaked havoc on people’s perception of life in general. My elderly mom, uncomfortable with technology, longed for more than the occasional socially distanced front porch visit, a virtual embrace, or the occasional phone call. My daughter longed for more on-campus culinary options as franchise outlets and fast-food convenience stores closed, transportation that didn’t mean waiting at a bus stop for an extended period, and ways to combat stress and anxiety while living alone and isolated at university.

Road trips with my daughter look quite different from when I was growing up. Driving, navigating the roads, and reading maps weren’t my mom’s fortes. So as a child, road trips often meant carpooling or participating in a group activity where transportation and travel logistics were prearranged. Rather than the traveling, it was more about how my mom supported and encouraged me to spread my wings and fly. My mom worked behind the scenes to ensure I could live from the driver’s seat. During those moments of preparation, when my mom would busy herself ensuring I had new or mended clean clothes to wear, pocket money to spend, and the confidence to chase after my dreams, I knew her heart swelled with pride, while mine beat with a bit of fear and anticipation as to what my next adventure might entail.

With Madison, our road trips have meant open roads, rental vehicles, snacks, potty breaks, a playlist of songs we sing to, and frequent stops to capture a selfie or two to post on social media. From an early age, Madison, although much more of an introvert than me, seemed eager to go places, see the sights, and experience new things. (Albeit there were times when this was not the case, and I had to gently coerce her with the promise of a treat that likely involved food in order for her to agree to accompany me because our strong personalities seemed to clash on occasion.) It's funny that even though I have been centre stage for much of Madison’s travel experience, my heart does its own thing when I watch her spread her wings and fly. Being in the driver’s seat has meant learning to voice her opinion respectfully and productively, exploring options and alternatives in the here and now, and considering the consequences of one’s actions.

But I relish the opportunity to build and maintain a relationship with two of the most influential people in my life and to compare and grow from my experiences as a daughter and a mother. With Madison, I can reflect on her actions and remember how I dealt with a situation as a daughter and my actions' impact on my mom. It reminds me that we are all empowered to make our own decisions but that we should do so with the consideration of others, especially when faced with adversity. A difference of opinions, when expressed with respect, both in disposition and in language, can make a world of difference in how the experience is received and remembered.

Reflecting on a couple of emotionally charged verbal exchanges I've had with my mom and daughter, I say, Words hurt. And whether I’ve been the one to say, I’m sorry or been the one to receive a hug that says, It’s okay, I’ve used these experiences to consider the situation, hypothesize alternatives, and make a commitment to change or improve similar situations in the future.

Mother-daughter relationships are unique, a two-way street you can travel side-by-side, chasing similar or common goals into the horizon, or a two-way street where you travel alone or in opposite directions. The knowledge of this and the analogy of life being a road trip is that life is a profound journey, and I am blessed to share it with some fantastic individuals.

Metaphorically, road trips, like relationships, can be expensive. They take time and energy to foster. But with some planning, we can successfully navigate the road ahead and avoid some bumps along the way. Relationships can be adventurous and advantageous to exploring new things, building confidence, and making memories. We get to choose our backseat drivers or travel companions.

A few things I have learned: be respectful and give everyone time in the driver’s seat. Accept that a relationship can’t always be there with you or for you, and vice versa. Decide when to navigate the road ahead alone or with a co-pilot. Also, successful road trips require you to maintain your vehicle, much like it’s crucial to maintain healthy relationships. Unfortunately, this includes planning for your safety in an unhealthy or unsafe situation. Take a break when needed – for yourself or for others. Breathe. And finally, don’t be in such a rush to reach your destination. Life is a journey – enjoy it, and the relationships you build along the way.

One, TWO!

Sheba Cummings

If you would have told me years ago