Celebrating our "other mothers" —
This Mother's Day, CNN readers pay tribute to women who were not their biological mothers but filled a matriarchal role. Shawn Fontenot Yujuico, left, was 17 years old when her mom died in a car accident. Stepmother Shirley Fontenot "just flat out loved us. She loved us over our brattiness, our 'You are not Mother,' over our heartbreak. She didn't love us conditionally; she loved us with her whole heart."
My hero, my grandmother —
Indian iReporter Meera Vijayann, pictured standing next to her grandmother and younger sister, spent much of her childhood in Kollam, a small port town along the country's southern coast. As a young girl she was brought up to respect her elders, a common occurrence within Indian culture. As a result, she developed a deep bond with her grandmother. She explains: "As a child, she was my source of strength, a vision of wisdom and womanhood so powerful..."
My college roommate —
Nicole Sunderlin, right, met her "other mother" Marirose Lula when they were college roommates. "Although she is only one year and two months older than I am ... she has taught me self worth, and only dating people who are good people. She has helped guide me with my faith, she has taught me how to keep a secret and she has taught me, time and time again, when I needed help, that she is there for me."
My student exchange parents —
Jhena Vieira-Coffey, left, was 15 when she journeyed to Michigan as an exchange student and never left. Mariah and Robert Coffey legally adopted her on a state level when she was 17 so she could study as an international student and eventually get her green card. Vieira-Coffey refers to Mariah as her "American mom" and says Mariah made her realize she could aspire to be anything she wanted.
My aunt —
Randy Carmichael, right, was a troubled 16-year-old when he went to live his aunt and grandmother. His Aunt Jean was the one person in his life who made him feel special. "I had a me-against-the-world attitude, and rather than use force or threats, she treated me as an adult, a real person. No one had done that for me ever," he said.
My housekeeper —
Kathy Bautista, right, has known Nelly since she was a little girl when she was a housekeeper for her family. Today she still helps Bautista in her own home and business. "Since my mother died in 2000, she was there to assist me in household chores, in helping out in decision-making, in dealing with family issues and stress," she says.
My adoptive mom —
"She was always helping others. She always like to help her students, fellow colleagues, strangers," says Maya Hoffman about her mom, Louise, who adopted her when she was 5 years old. In 2007, Louise, who was also a teacher, took a group of students to India. The trip (pictured) provided Maya an opportunity to return to where she was born for the first time in 13 years and will always look back on the trip with the fondest of memories.
My aunt —
When Tashi Wangmo's parents separated, she moved in with her maternal aunt, Kezang Tshomo for five years. Tshomo taught her many of life's vital lessons as well as the little things. Today she continues to be incredibly thankful for her aunt's guidance and hopes to one day return the gesture. "My favorite memory of my aunt is when she dressed me up for my first dance concert. First she gave me a bath and started to make my hair and do my makeup."
My sister —
Jasmine Clifton, left, said her older sister, Nicole Pierson, became a second mother to her after they lost their mom to cancer in 2006. Pierson taught her "to believe in myself and to never settle." From relationship advice to swapping recipes, "she is everything that I need and more."
My office manager —
Elisa Monterroso. left, was hired as a medical assistant by Patty Desande two days after her graduation, and over the five years they have worked together, she says Patty has always been there for her. In January, Monterroso needed to have surgery to remove a benign tumor growing on her acoustic nerve. Unsurprisingly, her "other mother" was right by her side. "Patty and my husband both hugged me seperately" and "quietly in my left ear said 'I love you.'"
My dad —
When Coni Russo Szemis' mom left, she was just 11 years old. In her absence, Szemis' father put on the "mom" hat guiding her through puberty and relationships all while continuing to work as a pipe fitter and supporting her three brothers. "He always gives so generously to us all, even if we don't deserve it! He's the best mom this girl could ever wish for," she says.
