I may not be the best mother, but I am her mother!

I worry about being able to be there to provide my daughter with the guidance that she needs from a mother. I may not be the best mother in the world, but I am her mother and that makes me the best mother for her.

By Elana Waldman

Updated June 11, 2014

Getty Images

Whenever I see movies, plays, etc. where a mother has died, it makes me very emotional. I watch children going through rites of passage and I can't help but wonder whether I will be there to help Sydney through her rites. I am trying to leave a legacy in writing so she knows who I am and what my view of the world is, but it saddens me to know that this may be the only way she will get to know those elements of who I am. It saddens me to know that I may not be there for her when she needs her mother

The very best of Chatelaine straight to your inbox.

FILED UNDER:

living-with-ovarian-cancer

Copy link

The cover of Chatelaine magazine's spring 2025 issue, reading "weekend prep made easy"; "five delicious weeknight meals", "plus, why you'll never regret buying an air fryer"; "save money, stay stylish how to build a capsule wardrobe" and "home organization special" along with photos of burritos, chicken and rice and white bean soup, quick paella in a dutch oven, almost-instant Thai chicken curry and chicken broccoli casserole in an enamelled cast-iron skillet

Subscribe to Chatelaine!

Want to streamline your life? In our Spring 2025 issue, we’ll show you how—whether it’s paring down your wardrobe, decluttering your messiest spaces or spending way less time cooking thanks to an easy, mostly make-ahead meal plan for busy weeknights. Plus, our first annual Pantry Awards.