“No language can express the power, and beauty, and heroism, and majesty of a mother’s love.”  

Edwin Hubbell Chapin

We all have complicated relationships with our mothers, and that is not necessarily in a bad way.  Regardless of if our relationships are close or strained, our mother is generally the biggest influence in our lives.  This holds even more true as we become parents ourselves, or as we mother/mentor those close to us.   Whether it is how you learn how you don’t want to be or if you wonder how you could possibly emulate everything your mother did to raise you, we are always a little bit in awe.  No one teaches you how to parent, so most people are just winging it, doing the best they can.  There are always exceptions, but as we grow, we hopefully become less judgmental and more compassionate, let go of old hurts, embrace new memories and remember the good times.

For those of us who are motherless children, either by losing our mothers as children or as adults, it was too soon.  I feel the loss of my mother every moment of every day.  Some days I can handle it, most days I can’t. But I know she would tell me to “buck up” and keep on going.  I am lucky to have my mother’s sister, my family, her friends, my friends, my sweet mother-in-law, the generous mothers of my friends and of course, my stellar SuperHubs and IncrediDog to help me get through it.

I hear her laugh sometimes in my own. I see her expressions curiously looking back at me in the mirror. I view the world from her eyes. She was my mom, but she was also always my very best friend.  We had a special bond and an extremely close relationship.  I mourn her loss, but in my stepfather’s words, I try to celebrate her life and all of the many gifts she gave me, the most treasured being her love.  I was so lucky that she was my mother, even if it was too short of a time that I spent with her.

So if you are one of the lucky ones who still has your mother on this planet, whatever your relationship is, call her, take her out somewhere lovely, make her feel special.  You will never, ever look back and regret that you did something nice for her on her special day.  To all of you amazing mothers out there, your children will always be grateful for you. Happy Mother’s Day.

To my angel mother:

It was such a joy and privilege to be your daughter. We miss you.  

Love, your “Sweet Baby Girl”