Nadine Williams and her mother relax at home in Greendale, Spanish Town. - Ian Allen/Staff Photographer

This is a story from a young woman who was homeless until she was taken in by a woman she now regards as her mother. Today, Mother's Day, this young woman is saying thanks.

First, let me introduce myself. My name is Nadine Williams. I am 33 years old.

My mother's name is Gwendolyn Richards and she is 80 years old.

She is not my biological or adopted mother, but if I had a choice at conception to chose my mother, she would definitely be mine.

My biological mother left me with an elderly woman in Thompson Pen, Spanish Town, when I was two months old and said she would return, but never did. I was in a foster home until I was 16, when I was adopted. My life during and after adoption I will not get into, because I have learned through my friend, confidante, mother, mentor, 'Ma Gwen' or 'Mum' how to get "past my past".

I was a lost soul

She took me into her home at the age of about 21 years old. She knew nothing about me, only that I needed a home and that I needed to be loved. I didn't have a clue as to who Nadine Williams was. I was a lost soul. I wasn't a 'bad child'. But again, I will not go on about those days, because I have too many wonderful things to tell you about this exceptional lady, mother, Mrs. Gwendolyn Richards.

She is an exceptional mother because she took in five, yes, five young mentally/physically abused adolescents from inner-city communities in and around Spanish Town. Can you imagine the chaos?

She could have said 'no' like others. Some thought she was crazy and tried to persuade her not to do it, but we thank God that she has always done things 'her way'. She didn't see us as 'bad'.

To her, we just needed lots of love, hugs, kisses, happy birthdays, wonderful Christmases and a little chastising here and there to keep us in line. These we got and much more. For the first time in our lives, we knew and experienced what it was like to be a part of a family.

Ma Gwen's kindness has extended outside of the home she made for us. She was instrumental in starting a scholarship for students in Central Village who are successful in their GSAT examination, but whose parents cannot afford to assist in this regard. This involves the collection of the 'brown money' that people throw away or just have at home. She encourages the members of the church she attends (Christ Temple Apostolic, Central Village, Spanish Town, St. Catherine) to pick them up and put them in a jar and take them to church. Then she takes them home, counts them or sometimes we are told to do so.

Yes, she still tells us what she wants done, when and how.

Care for needy

Ma Gwen wants to ensure that needy children will be cared for even after she dies. Therefore, through her 'will' she has stated that there should be no 'wake'. Whatever excess, if there is any, should be used to set up a tertiary scholarship for students who have made good use of the high-school scholarship.

If God should favour me with long life like her, there is no one else I would emulate.

My other sisters have married and have families of their own. I am still holding on to her 'skirt-tail'.

I am not yet ready to let go. I know who I am today. I am able to love others without any expectations.

I know who my mother is, without a doubt. I have grown in all areas of my life.

Ma Gwen, you are my inspiration, my mother, my best friend, my mentor, my inspiration and even at times my doctor and pharmacist.

I will never in this life-time be able to pay you back and I know you would not want me to.

This, I need you to know: You are the love of my life, there is none like you.

Thank you for 'rebirth-ing' a 21-one year-old baby.