I'm so glad that I had the mother I did.
Velma wasn't perfect. She was a negligent parent, though she did try to love us, and was never abusive. We moved a lot, but were never homeless. She was usually broke, but we always had food in the fridge.
She was uneducated, but well read, and politically active.
I never learned to appreciate her until I was around 42, when my son became ill, and his grandmother, Velma, was one of Adam's ONLY relatives to help. She drove us several times to the hospital, and always treated Adam with gentleness and respect, and he loved her. She made herself available and gave me strength.
My mother wasn't always there for me, but when she was, it was during my most desperate times.
I love my mommy. Happy Birthday
