Fete Lifestyle Magazine May 2024 - Women's Issue | Page 27

I

have learned from

some of my

girlfriends that

mother/daughter relationships can be tense. There is competition. There is jealousy. The first time a friend shared this with me I was so shocked. I had never encountered anything remotely like that. My mom has always been my BIGGEST cheerleader.

For many years, my mom has

been struggling with dementia.

What we hear about the disease

is so true. It is the longest

goodbye.

What I miss the most are the LONG, heartfelt, meaningful phone conversations and the wisdom gained from her throughout my life. There are

countless times that I want to just call her and chat about a work issue, a kid issue, a relationship issue—and leave the conversation feeling held and seen in the way only she has been able to in my life. Or to share with her big news! “Mom,

I’m engaged!”. “Mom, we just

placed 2nd in Best Places to Work for women!”. More than ever, I realize how lucky I was to have my mother, who was a master at unconditional love. She passed that lesson on to me

—and so much more. I want my kids to feel that and understand so many of the things I learned from my mother…

These are the Top 10 lessons I learned from Catherine Russell Rondenet - trailblazer, mother of 7, Jungian therapist and most special human I have ever known...