Editor's Note
Mother's Day
By Jillian Melnyk, Editor
I have been thinking a lot about family lately. Part of that is because I have taken on the role of "family historian". I have spent the past year interviewing relatives and researching to dig up my roots and learn about my family who immigrated from Poland and settled in Buffalo. Also, May is Mother's Day, so I've been thinking a lot about the role of mothers in families (especially mine). My great-great grandmother had eleven children (yes, eleven!), my great-grandmother was third in line (and she herself already had three children by the time she was 22-years-old. I think about where I was when I was 22 – I could barely handle caring for a goldfish.) I can't even begin to imagine what it is like to have a family at such a young age or to have a family the size of a professional basketball team. I bet my great-great-grandmother could have benefited from some of the advice and tips (or had a lot to share herself!) in this month's article, "Four or More", which focuses on raising a large family.
May is a time to honor mothers, but it is also a time to honor families – specifically a very special kind of family. May is Foster Care Month, which has sort of a unique meaning for me. My greatgrandmother died at the age of 24, which left her three children as orphans. My grandmother and her siblings were blessed to have a grandmother and aunt who were willing to take them in, care for them, and support them – but many children aren't as lucky. Currently, there are approximately 1,100 children in foster care in Monroe County. This month's feature story about foster care families sheds light on the incredible people who lend safety, support, and care to children in need. If you haven't checked out the names of our staff members on that purple bar over on the right of this page I encourage you to take a look… As you'll see, I share a last name with our publisher. That's because she's my mother. Yes, that is to say I spend eight hours a day with only a few feet separating myself from her. Some people would think that is quite a lot to handle – but I love it! I'm not just an employee here, I'm a partner. Each month we work as a team to bring you the best, most useful, heart-warming, and entertaining information about parenting and families. And this month's issue has a particularly strong focus on families and mothers. So, Mom, this one's for you!
Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers, grandmothers and great-grandmothers out there!
PS: This Mother’s Day I’m getting my mom a manatee!
Jillian
This column appeared originally in the May 2009 issue of Genesee Valley Parent Magazine.