My main purpose is to create a community of Mothers and Daughters and make a difference in the lives of women, starting with our daughters. To give to other mothers and daughters, what the women in my family have given to me. They left me a lifetime of love, strength, character and appreciation, to name a few.
My Mother's and my Aunt's letters are the most precious objects that I own and I cherish them. I would like to give that gift to other Daughters by encouraging Mother's to write their Daughters a letter. The letter can range from values and beliefs, to praise and encouragement, the limits are endless.

My mother passed away when I was 13. I moved to my mother's home town which was in the suburbs, and predominantly white. I was only 13 and in one day, I lost everything, everyone that I knew and loved. My family, my friends and the only way of life that I knew. I must have read my mother's letter a trillion times; it was the closest I could get to her again.

A few years after my mothers death, I moved in with my mother's sister, aunt Marianna. We became the best of friends. She was diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2000 and I was in emotional turmoil every day after that. The fought hard for the next three years and I never stopped praying for a miracle, which is what it would have taken to save her. I also prayed for a reason to live because the thought of losing her was unbearable. I didn't get the exact miracle that I prayed for, but I was, indeed, given a miracle and a reason to live. That miracle is my daughter, Mercey.

It was the end of October and Marianna had been gone since June I was still grieving from her death and had just given birth to Mercey. I was a mother for the first time with no Mother figure left.

It wasn't easy for a while but I know with every fiber of my being, that it was my connection to the women in my family and their love filled legacy letters Gloria's and Marianna's letters that empowered me, and gave me the courage and strength to rebuild my self.

This site is also a tribute to Gloria and Marianna. They were feminine but strong, hysterically funny, highly intelligent, magical, spirited, kind, full of character, feisty women who had a love for books, writing, astrology, cats, artichokes and anything that bloomed. Their letters helped me to move through my grief of their loss, stay connected to them, and gave me the guidance to rebuild my self. I will be forever grateful for their praise and loving, encouraging words.

Love Always,

Mara Celeste

"It is Family that defines the very essence of our identity"