Earlier today I was being interviewed about what it meant to be a working mother and to have the support of my live-in mother-in-law.

The first thing that sprang into my mind was the gift of time.

This gift of time allows me to:

• be fully present when I’m at home with my kids.
• make it to the recreation center to workout.
• have planned or impromptu date nights with my husband.
• take a moment of alone time when needed.
• learn from a woman (my mother-in-law) who was determined to live life on her own terms, as an entrepreneur, and single mother.

I look at my mother-in-law’s life (the parts that I know about) as a testimonial to creating your own reality, living your own truth, and making mistakes that teach you how to kick start your dreams all over again.

I appreciate the way she quietly observes us all and then steps in as an invisible net to support us (not rescue) when we seem to be floundering a bit.

My mother-in-law’s tough love attitude and strong commitment to family bonds is one example of how families can be united and diverse all at the same time. She is, indeed, a solid matriarchal figure in our home.

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After being interviewed, I was saddened to hear about the passing of Dorothy Howell Rodham. I was humbled and moved by Chelsea Clinton’s loving words of being a member of a multigenerational family and learning from her parents and grandmother. Chelsea pointed out the importance of having her grandmother Dorothy, as the family matriarch, model healthy living and productivity.

I listened closely to Chelsea’s words and hope my own children, after growing up in a multigenerational home, will:

• commit to making healthy choices for a healthy and balanced life
• understand the importance of intergenerational connections
• recognize the gift of time with older generations

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by Kanesha