Sess Cannon Shares the Life Lessons Her Mother Taught Her
We look like them. We laugh like them and in many cases, we love like them. Our mothers and motherly figures taught us how to be women and the lessons we learned from them are ones we have the pleasure of passing along to our children.
This week we spoke with five career women to see what lessons have stuck with them over the years from the women they call mommy. Here is our interview 3 of 5 featuring Sess Cannon.
What are some of the greatest lessons your mom taught you growing up?
I was raised in many households. So I had a lot of moms growing up. My dad’s wife taught me that love is love.
After my dad died my mom started struggling with addictions and another woman who was battling with her own addiction took me in. She actually introduced me to God and instilled faith in me. Even with her own struggles, she loved me unconditionally
Another mother was so beautiful. I loved the way she cared for her family and her kids. Another mom was calm natured and she allowed her husband to be both a dad and a husband.
One mother who took me in was in an abusive relationship but even in that, I saw a lot of strategy and strength. As a mom, I saw her trying to figure out the best way to be a soft place for her kids.
The last woman who took me in had four daughters and was a hairstylist. She was really strict but I’m so grateful that she gave me a true black mom experience.
When I got pregnant with my first son I got really close to my grandmother who was white, very conservative, and never wanted black grandchildren. Since my mom was not able to provide the nurturing love I needed because I was scared my grandmother gave me that experience.
What lessons from your mom have you instilled in your children?
I’ve taught them to have compassion for people and to understand people are multi-faceted. It’s not fair to judge based on our own experience. I’m a mother of four. When I was just a mother of one, I had all these thoughts of what I wasn’t going to do regarding pacifiers and other things, but over the years I’ve learned we need to give each other grace. We don’t know everything. We are still developing as women while mothering.
What has being a mom taught you?
Give each other grace. Understand we are all doing the best we can with what we know. You don’t know what a woman is dealing with and how she’s working to show up for her children. As moms, we are the ultimate pivoters because you think you have something in place and then you have child number 2. It’s important for you to have other moms you are close to so you can share your feelings without judgment and don’t feel like you have to censor them. There is no mold for a mom. When we have a community then we can pick up good things from them.
If you could tell your mom one thing what would it be?
I’m grateful for everything she is. Good and bad. I’m thankful because though the story was what it was it couldn’t have gone any differently because then I wouldn’t be who I am.
It took me to develop a relationship with God and seeing God in the steps. Before Christ, you just see bitterness in those spaces but being in Him turns the lens. I was equipped for it and I’m grateful for the story because it inspires others.
What is one character trait you hope your children take from your mom?
I hope they get her strength. I hope they see from her that you don’t have to look like your past and at any point you can change the direction of your life.
I hope my daughters get from me that you can believe for your life to be whatever you want it to be. You are responsible for what your future is and God has placed everything inside of you but it’s up to you to do it.