Connecting on the Greenway and with our loved ones

31, Mar, 2010 Rose Kennedy Greenway Conservancy

I thrive on my mother’s confidence, love and guidance on a daily basis. She is the strongest woman I have ever known… She has devoted all of her time to me… I love to talk to people about my mother because she is not only an inspiration to me but to everybody with whom she comes in contact. (Jazmine G., WriteBoston essay winner)

Copyright Clive Grainger

Photo credit: Clive Grainger

The Rose F. Kennedy Greenway is the place to connect. It has reunited neighborhoods that were once separated by a highway and is bringing civic leaders around the table to discuss what the Greenway will become.   The Greenway even has a place for “the rest of us”, like Jazmine G. and her mother, who make up the fabric of Greater Boston.   In that place, the Mothers’ Walk, we pay homage to our mothers and other caregivers in perpetuity. On this walk there are tributes to mothers as well-known as Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy, and as equally well-loved as Jazmine’s mom.

Jazmine, and 100 other people, received a paver on the Mothers’ Walk through last year’s Write to Honor program, designed to include those members of the community who might not be able to afford a paver. The program offered the chance for school children and senior citizens to honor a special person in their lives through writing and drawing contests, and subsequently win a paver on the Mothers’ Walk.

Now that I have a child, I see things so differently and admire (my mother) so much more for what she did… As a mother now, I know what you will give up, what you will do for your child; (my mother) did that and so much more. (Sasha S., Metro essay winner)

I wrote this in honor of my mother… because she loves me and puts a house above my head. She also feeds me and gives me a bed to sleep on. My mother is a very important person in my life… (Ciarra D. age 10, Jordan Boys & Girls Club)

Visit our website for more quotes from the winning essays. Whether you buy a paver or not, we hope these essays inspire you to recognize your mother, caregiver or someone special in your life.

Mothers’ Walk pavers cost $500 and are available for a limited time. As an added bonus, donors who purchase a paver between now and May 1, 2010 receive complimentary admission with two guests to a VIP brunch before the free public event, A Tribute to Mothers. For more information on the Mothers’ Walk, visit www.rosekennedygreenway.org/motherswalk.  (Editor’s note: Don’t forget, Mother’s Day is May 9th!)