Last year at this time, I was fed up. You see I'm not a mother and my mother passed. I was tired of going to church on Mother's day and feeling out of place. Worst yet, people who knew felt uncomfortable. I remember going to church last year with my husband, step-daughter, her husband and son. I told my husband this is the last time I'm going to church on Mother's day. I was fed up with being out of place.

We went to church and had a wonderful service and afterwards, my step-daughter surprised me with a Mother's day card and told me how much I meant to her. I was touched and the day took on a new meaning.

My, what a difference a year makes. Now my husband is gone and somehow the whole Mother's day thing is not getting to me at all. I'm so focused on losing him. Somehow, remembering last year, and my stepdaughter brings a sort of peace. I can remember it so well which would not have happened had it not been for my step-daughter. It was a lovely day and I'll have to cherish it as the last time my husband and I attended service on Mother's day.

For all you mothers--step-mothers and women who've just been there for a young woman or man. Happy Mother's day. It takes more than birth to be a mother.