Mothering the Community

It is a given that I am the mother of 5, but the mother of many from other mothers.I always have an event to attend, or cookies to buy for one of "my children". As I navigate through life, I often remember the good old days, the days of Angeles Mesa, Crenshaw High and the numerous activities that followed. But, I always remember the extended families(Devilles, Northingtons, Greenes, Williams, Smiths,Washingtons etc). Those of us that had that experience know how significant it can be.We are always providing transportation to events, providing food etc. Volunteering at various schools has provided me the opportunity to meet many families. I welcome hugs from students and the smile from a gang member here and there. Yes a gang member, a former student from my daughter's former school. He is always respectful to me because we developed a rapport about his life and I never looked at him with contempt.I welcome "Hi Mrs Rasheed, when I am driving down the street or at the local Starbucks or best Buys. Many of these students I met through my children and organizations they are affiliated with.There are many organizations or just plain folks working in communities, please support them. Each one teach one.