Mommy Moments with Sasha Marina is BrownStyle Magazine‘s new column that encourages moms to practice mindfulness and create a soft life that speaks to their souls. From adventurous family trips to products that make parenting a little easier, learn how the mother-of-two is navigating motherhood one day at a time.
I’m no psychology scholar, but experience has been one of my greatest teachers. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned over the years is that parenting is one of life’s most beautiful contradictions. It can fill us with joy, pride, excitement, and, yes, occasional frustration. It asks us to give endlessly while somehow discovering more about ourselves in the process.
As parents, we’re often our children’s first teachers, biggest cheerleaders, and safest place to land. But maybe our most important role isn’t having all the answers. Maybe it’s being emotionally present and building a space to learn and grow.
The Lessons Of Parenting
Parenting isn’t simply about raising children; it’s also about shaping future generations. And through my journey as a parent, I’ve learned that the values we teach—or neglect to teach—often influence how our children navigate relationships, handle challenges, and move through the world.
As we grow older and step into adulthood—or parenthood ourselves—we often begin to see our own mothers and fathers differently. There are moments when you’re comforting your child, setting boundaries, or celebrating a milestone, and suddenly think, “So this is what my parents felt.”
Those full-circle moments can bring understanding, gratitude, and sometimes even healing.
Parents have a remarkable way of reconnecting us to earlier versions of ourselves. They remind us of where we’ve been, who we’ve become, and the memories we didn’t realize we’d tucked away. Yet we rarely imagine a time when they won’t be here.
Navigating The Loss Of A Loved One
We postpone visits, delay heartfelt conversations, and assume there will always be another opportunity to say, “I love you,” ask one more question, or share one more story. Then one day, we’re left wishing we had just a little more time.
My husband lost his mother during the COVID pandemic, as did so many families around the world. It was one of the most devastating chapters our family has experienced. Time softens grief, but it doesn’t erase it.
I write this with tears in my eyes because some parents are the pillars that hold entire families together. She was that pillar. She found joy in giving, nurturing, and creating beautiful memories with her children and grandchildren.
This Mother’s Day, I gifted my husband a memorial tree through Trees for Change. Because she loved nature and found peace outdoors, planting a tree in her honor felt like a beautiful way to continue her legacy of giving.
I also lost my father early in adulthood. Even now, I still feel the urge to call him—to ask for advice, tell him a funny story, or hear him talk about his day. (Sometimes the sound of a loved one’s voice brings comfort in ways photographs simply cannot.)
My father loved reading, but music was one of his greatest passions. He sang, wrote songs, and filled spaces with his creativity. I’m looking forward to compiling his recordings into a “best of” compilation. That will be my way of preserving his voice and celebrating his legacy.
Love Never Fades, And Neither Should Their Legacy
Although time moves forward, love has a remarkable way of keeping the people we miss close to our hearts. As the years pass, birthdays come and go, family traditions evolve, and holiday gatherings become smaller, many of us still find ourselves wanting to call that one person who feels like home. For many, that’s Mom. For others, it’s Dad.
Every day, I make an effort to celebrate the parents who are still with us and honor those who now live in our memories. Ahead, see some of the ways I honor family that is no longer here on Earth but always in our Spirit.
✨ Trees For Change: This organization allows you to plant a living memorial in honor of someone you love.
✨ Popsa Photo Book: Easily transform your favorite photographs into a beautiful hardcover photo book that you will treasure for years to come.
✨ Prayer Song: Create a s personalized prayer or song created in memory of your loved one.
✨ Canvas Photos: Turn a cherished photograph into a stunning canvas print to display in your home as a daily reminder of the love you shared.
✨ Catholic Jewelry: This beautiful faith-inspired jewelry is designed to help you keep faith close to your heart.
Grief has taught me something unexpected: love doesn’t disappear when someone is gone. It simply changes form. It lives in stories, traditions, favorite recipes, old voicemails, handwritten notes, and even the qualities we unknowingly inherit from the people who raised us. And every day, I am thankful for the love and lessons I’ve learned from my Father.
