I became a Mom at the age of 41 after almost giving up on finding the love of my life. I met my now husband, a month after my 40^th birthday. We quickly, and fortunately, had 2 children with me giving birth at ages 41 and 42. But there’s more.

Why am I so proud to be a Mom? Here’s just one example:

My daughter, Shaina, at the age of 3 ½, saw a classmate of hers crying after school one day. She immediately went to her backpack to take out her stuffed teddy bear she had brought to school that day and brought it to this little child to hold. She told him it would comfort him and make him feel better. Since she ultimately would get her bear back, she decided to give this child a Friendship Stone she keeps in her backpack. I work with a small start-up company, My Stone Company, which created The Friendship Stone, a Tiger’s Eye semi-precious gemstone representing connectedness, the power of positive thinking, and the joy of giving. I gave my kids each one for them to keep so when we’re separated, they know I am always present, and to remind them of their inner strength and beauty. My daughter likes to keep a few smaller ones with her to give to her friends when they need a ‘pick me up’, as the story above and a reminder of her friendship.  Now that, makes me a proud Momma and why I Love Being a Mom!

Second Story: 

My son, Marshall , a 4 year old in preschool, told me of how one boy (T) was always rough and not nice.  He said the other kids in the class didn’t like him either.  I happened to be talking to this child’s Mother and she said how she feels sad that her son said he has no friends in this new school vs. where he was previously. It broke my heart that a 4-year-old child should feel this way. So, I asked my son to think of how he would feel if he thought no one in his class liked him, and maybe that was the reason for this boy’s behavior. I suggested he befriend “T” and encourage his other friends to do so as well. He came home with excitement and said “Mommy, guess what, I was nice to “T” and he was nice back! And, I told the other kids that he really is a nice guy.  I gave him a Friendship Stone too!”

Soon thereafter, T’s Mother told me that out of the blue, her son looked at her with a big smile and said, “You know what Mommy, Marshall is my friend.”  I had the biggest, warmest and deepest smile in my heart!  It is moments like these that make me know I am blessed to be a Mom! 

Proud Mom, Jill Raff