father's day

When I learned I was pregnant, I knew that I would likely be raising my child alone. I remember my sister, who was then a mother of three saying to me, "You have no idea."

And I didn't. How could I?

And so I learned, on the job.

I learned how to change diapers, make formula, and juggle child care with my work schedule.

I learned how to navigate the NYC school system.

I learned the mechanical things of being a parent.

And I learned some other things too.

How to be the tough one. The loving one. The strict one. The understanding one.

Because I was the only one.

There was no dad at home to balance me.

There was no father for my son to model himself after.

There was no male at home to teach my son some of the things I didn't know how to do.

But my son had his uncles. 

His male cousins. 

His grandfathers.

And me.



Somehow we managed.

And my son adjusted. 

And has grown into a kind, strong, and responsible man.

So to all my single-mother friends.

Jill
Zelia
Susan
Terri
Robin
Robyn
Cynthia
Linda
Carol

While it certainly would have been better to have had a two-parent home for our children, we all still did a pretty good job of being both mom and dad.

Happy Father's Day.