This month's question:
3
What is the most memorable thing that your mother or a maternal figure did that had a positive impact on your childhood?
Stories from Strangers
We’ll have a new question here every month for you to answer and engage with. Think of this as an online journal, except everyone gets a page in the book, and no one knows who’s written what (fun!).
Pour your heart out or read through the pages of someone else’s heart. Either way, we hope you find comfort in reading these stories from strangers.
Pour your heart out or read through the pages of someone else’s heart. Either way, we hope you find comfort in reading these stories from strangers.
What is the most memorable thing that your mother or a maternal figure did that had a positive impact on your childhood?
Want more questions?
Cards for Conversation may look like a small box but the questions it contains are big. Play it with friends, family, and strangers to move past the ‘howzits’ and create spaces for connecting, processing, and feeling known.
Buy a boxFrom the archives
May 25's question:
0
What remains unchanged about you since you were a child?
April 25's question:
4
What life change has been the toughest to adjust to?
September 24's question:
22
Knowing what you know now, what advice would you give to your 16-year-old self?
July 24's question:
110
Are you where you wanted to be at this stage in your life? Why or why not?
June 24's question:
9
What has been your biggest victory in the past year?
May 24's question:
6
What is your happiest memory of your mother or a maternal figure?
February 24's question:
17
When it comes to work, what is your negative self-talk?
January 24's question:
November 23's question:
9
What is one event in your life that you wish you could change, and how would you change it?
October 23's question:
24
When you think of the word ‘rejection’, what memory comes to mind?
September 23's question:
17
What is the most intense pain you’ve experienced that wasn’t physical?
August 23's question:
18
When you think of the word ‘disappointment’, what memory comes to mind?
May 23's question:
6
What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced in the past year?
May 23's question:
23
When was the last time you felt lonely, and what made you feel that way?
April 23's question:
9
Is there a family tradition from your childhood that you have instilled, or would like to one day instil, in your own family?
March 23's question:
17
Who was your most influential teacher in school? What impact did they have on your life?
February 23's question:
15
What is the kindest thing someone has done for you in the past year?
January 23's question:
29
What has been your biggest victory in the past year?
December 22's question:
37
When was the last time you felt brave? What were you doing that made you feel that way?
Anonymous
I was a very talented dancer in my teenage years, but we lived virtually form hand to mouth in my family. My Mother then was a real force of nature, strong and determined. I was chosen as part of a dance troupe to go to the UK when I was 16. It was definitely out of our means to get me there. My Mom just made it happen by going to my Aunt who happened to be very wealthy in her own right by growing and managing a business. She was strong and not particularly empathetic, but she paid for my ticket and gave me spending money. At the time I was really struggling with my home life. My father was a terrible alcoholic. I was in a relationship with a young man that was dominating my life for all the wrong reasons. I realised then that I honestly had not appreciated what she had done for me. I was too angry and confused abut what was happening. But my dancing was my lifeline and it was the reason I was able to not go off the rails. It was at the time that South Africa was heavily sanctioned for its apartheid laws, so we were kept very secluded from the outside world. Because my homelife was so traumatic, I have had very little memories that were positive. But this was one of them. I only wish I could have been in a better place as a teenager to have appreciated it more. But I will never forget how my Mom humbled herself and how my Aunt, who very rarely lent money, but made this exception to experience this once in a lifetime. Now because of my Mom and Aunt, I pave the way for younger women to thrive througgh my own foundation.
Anonymous
She allowed me to suffer, when I needed to, but always let me know that she was there. This taught me to truly be self disciplined and to take 100% responsibility for everything I do. It is a life lesson I still cherish to this day.
Anonymous
Gran brought me the best toys