If you asked somebody what makes a good mother you would probably get a lot of different answers, but I’m willing to bet that those answers would eventually come back to the unconditional love that a mom has for their child. This is no different for myself, my mom has been a lot of different things to me. Whether it was my teacher, doctor, or whatever I needed at the time she was always there to be it. After learning more about her background it makes sense why she’s like that.
Veronica Watt was born in Jefferson hospital in Philadelphia. Veronica grew up with both parents, two older siblings, and a younger sibling. I use the words (grew up) kind of loosely though. At 3-years-old Veronica moved to Cherry Hill, New Jersey and that was when she was put into the foster care system. For the next six years Veronica would visit her family but wouldn’t spend extended time with them.
At nine she moved to Phoenix. She was no longer in the foster care system, however her situation was unique to most kids. Her situation was different because she lived down the street from her biological brother with an Airforce family from Germany through middle school and part of high school. In fact, they even went to the same high school as her older brother and they graduated together because Watt took night school class and summer school classes to graduate her Junior year with her Brother. Veronica’s upbringing gave her a clear image of what type of life she wanted for her kids.:” I wanted to provide the security I didn’t have.” She said growing up, “All of our belongings were in garbage bags, and now I have garage sales, and have owned a home since I was 25.”
As long as I could remember my mom has always talked about getting an education, a job, and a house in that order. She engrained those ideas in our heads because she wanted us to be independent. She said by accomplishing those things herself it would give my siblings and I a positive example to follow. With her children being independent it would achieve a bigger goal that she has. “My goal is that all of my kids are independent of me and move out of my home into the real world, and they don’t ever have to come back to live with me because of finances or lack of independence or lack of self-esteem.”
Watt graduated high school at 15, moved out of her house at 18, and had her first child at 24. So, when I look at her life it’s easy for me to see that independence and strength are common themes. With every child she had a different set of challenges to address.
With my big brother the first challenge was if she even wanted to have him or not. She made an appointment to get an abortion, but that’s when she got an epiphany. She was watching the 1996 track Olympics and wondered what if this baby I’m about to abort becomes an Olympian? Her thoughts became more positive, and she realized that she was ahead of the curb compared to a lot of moms. I have a bachelor’s degree, I’m 24, and I have a good job with good benefits. I don’t know why I can’t have this baby.”
Now with me the challenge was, what type of life will this child live. At five I went blind, so you could imagine the concern my parents had. For the two months after I went blind my parents and doctors believed that I was going to regain my sight. When it became clear that wasn’t the case my parents took the position of advocators. Whether it was a new cane, a meeting with a concerned teacher, or helping me with my homework my parents, especially my mom was crucial to my development.
Finally, my little sister was born. The challenge my sister presented was raising a girl in today’s time. Even with that being the case the resemblance between the personalities between my mom and sister is sometimes scary, but what that means is that just like my mom did, my sister will find her way.
When asked what ties all three of us together, my mom said that the thing that holds the three of yall together is your love for each other. As upset as you may get with your siblings nobody else is allowed to disparage, disrespect or disregard the feelings of either sibling. Lesson after lesson, trial after trial, one thing that is for sure, is the backbone my parents have instilled in all three children. I’m just glad that I have the same last name.
