Happy Father's Day Mom

I, along with millions of other children in North America and around the world, grew up in a single parent household.

My parents divorced when I was 7 and me and my mother moved across the country from Southern Ontario to the Vancouver area.

I was, and remain to be, an only child, so it was a big change.

From that point on, I spoke to and saw my father sporadically, never really having a relationship with him that carried any weight.

My entire life, the one person who imparted knowledge, taught me to be a good person and shaped me as a human being was my mother. She worked her ass off to provide for me and give me every opportunity she possible could, all by herself.

She was both parents, and gave me enough balance to be the rational-minded, respectful person I am today.

Some will argue that the absence of a male presence can hamper a child's upbringing, but looking at myself in the mirror, I would argue the opposite.

I don't mean for this diary to come across as saying fathers do not matter, as obviously that is not the case, all I am saying is they are not essential to rearing a decent human in this world.

I wanted to use this space today to thank my mother, and speak to those who grew up in the same situation as I did, and let them tell about the person who may not be a 'dad', but deserves the same thanks as any other on Father's Day.

So please, if you would, share a story in the comments about a mother, or a father, that deserves special merit on this day, for whatever reason.