Here’s what my mom thinks about my career
Mom wrote this one!
Dr. Celeste Holbrook is my daughter. She weighed in at 9 pounds plus; without any drugs. Cheers, please.
I know now that most of those nine pounds composed her very useful brain. I did not know she would be a comedienne who would also make her livelihood educating folks with scientific, factual information about human sexuality.
When I am bragging to someone about my daughter’s awesome life accomplishments in the field of public health, the listener invariably asks, “Exactly what IS her profession?” So after the listener’s inevitable side eye, I quickly explain. There are confusing wide definitions assigned to “sexual health therapist,” “sexual surrogate therapist,” and Celeste’s career as a “sexual health educator.” Celeste’s goal as an educator is to replace misinformation and myth with truth about sexual health. Helping us to understand emotional abuse, shame, guilt, pain, and lack of communication is Celeste’s job--- so that God’s gift of sexuality may be fully appreciated. I am overjoyed with her career choice.
Some folks think I might be embarrassed about Celeste’s job choice. The answer is absolutely NOT. After 50 years of marriage I am extremely proud of how she blesses others with truth rather than misinformation in what seems to be the minefield topic of sexuality. Inaccuracy and distortion are her “foes” as an educator.
What kind of a mother am I to raise such a child?
Forty years ago when I shamelessly purchased the still relevant WHERE DID I COME FROM by Peter Mayle, I was determined my children would understand the reproduction system as well as the joys and caveats surrounding the subject of human sexuality. That quirky book has brought many smiles to friends and family who venture to my bookshelves. I still believe that book was the beginning of Celeste’s career with its friendly, humorous, helpful, realistic approach to sex.
It is a battle in today’s culture to instill joy, pleasure and confidence where fear, misinformation, sadness, and hopelessness already have a headstart.
When she asks me what is the key to a good marriage, my answer has aways been “respect.” It is hard to submit to love when there is no respect. She agrees.
After one serious relationship and a subsequent year of dating a variety of great college guys, all of whom she introduced to her parents, Celeste was introduced to Mr. Right. Mr. Right’s picture is in the dictionary under “respect,” and was also in the “tall, dark and handsome” section.
While writing the last pages of her dissertation and graduating with her Ph.D., Celeste finished the last trimester of her pregnancy with over 13 pounds of twins, emotionally supported her physician husband through “no sleep” residency, worked several jobs for rent money, and dined on rice and beans at home on paper plates. Yes, I am proud of her tenacity and grit. Her studies in sexual health education now help other women to be empowered by the knowledge she willingly shares.
My daughter tells me every day how glad she is that I am her mom and that I did a good “mom” job. I believe it is she who turned me into a proud mom; it is a God thing. But I’ll still happily embrace her gracious “mom” compliment and continue asking her advice for the best lubricant.
Happy Mother's Day.
SPOTLIGHT
One of my favorite feel good accounts.