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Mom's dying wish creates new family bond
6 Feb
Summary
- A mother's final request led to a lifelong bond.
- A hospice volunteer became a mother figure.
- The mother-daughter relationship is now a source of strength.

A Jamaican-born mother's final wish, made moments before her passing, led to a profound and life-altering commitment. She asked a hospice volunteer to become a mother figure to her young daughter, Davinia James-Stewart. James-Stewart, now 40 and living in Maryland, recently shared this story on Instagram, honoring the woman she now calls "mama."
This pivotal moment occurred when James-Stewart was a child in Jamaica. After her biological mother became seriously ill, she was placed with a prominent community member. Years later, when her mother battled breast cancer, James-Stewart met the volunteer at the hospice. A chance encounter, initiated by a missed ride, blossomed into a deep friendship.
The volunteer, who had experienced remission before her cancer returned aggressively, readily agreed to the dying mother's plea. James-Stewart describes the bond that formed as organic, with her "mama" providing unconditional love, respecting her independence, and offering guidance. This maternal relationship has been a cornerstone through life's challenges.
James-Stewart, now a mother herself to Harper-Joan, credits her "mama" with teaching her invaluable lessons about mothering. The viral Instagram reel celebrating this bond has deeply touched many viewers, highlighting the enduring power of love and promises kept.