Elizabethton mothers say being a mom is 'more than blood'

Yahoo

12-05-2025

ELIZABETHTON, Tenn. (WJHL)—Mother's Day is a time to honor all mother figures in our lives, including those who became mothers in a nontraditional way.
The idea of a mother has changed throughout the years.
'A mother is a person who loves, cares for and takes care of,' Elizabethton resident Angie Odom said. 'And it is a woman who shows a lot of strength, a lot of effort every day, day in and day out.'
'Someone who's willing to fight for, stand up for, advocate for, protect, love and nurture a child,' Elizabethton resident Ronda Paulson said.
Odom is the founder of the TLC Community Center, which supports mothers and those seeking to adopt. She stated that the distinction of motherhood belongs to both families.
'Many times we'll say, 'Oh, you're a wonderful person because you adopted,'' Odom said. 'But I still feel like these mothers that have chosen adoption are wonderful individuals.'
Odom has biological and adopted children. She said there is no difference in her love for both of her girls.
'I've heard people say that before, that there's no difference in between,' she said. 'But there truly isn't at all. You love them just the same. And there's extra protectiveness even sometimes there.'
Paulson also has biological and adopted children and has experience as a foster mother.
'It's a bit of a roller coaster,' she said. 'And I know a lot of people are apprehensive about becoming a foster parent. But it was one of the biggest blessings that my husband and I have ever received.'
Paulson founded Isaiah 117 House in Elizabethton, which provides housing for children awaiting their foster care placement.
On Mother's Day, Paulson said she often thinks of the mothers of her adopted boys, and the mothers who step up.
'Mother's Day, it's tricky for a lot of women,' she said. 'Mother's Day is tricky for me as an adoptive mom. I think about my adoptive sons' mother today. Foster moms, I think of them on Mother's Day. Some of them they're being advocates for children that they believe are not in a safe environment.'
Odom and Paulson said being a mother is about more than blood.
'It's really just about the role that you're playing and showing up,' Odom said. 'I think a lot of it is those that show up.'
'When you sign up to be a foster parent, what you're actually saying yes to is a child that needs a parent,' Paulson said. 'Needs a stand-in when they have no one.'
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