In 1914, President Woodrow Wilson declared Mother’s Day a national holiday. For companies that make candy and cards, Mother’s Day is their most profitable holiday. Sure, Christmas and Thanksgiving are great, but they pale in comparison to Mother’s Day. So what makes Mother’s Day so special? Here’s what I love about Mother’s Day. It’s the day we honor the one special lady that sticks with us through life’s best and worst moments.
Most of us can count on our mothers for love and guidance. Even if we make the worst mistakes. Nothing is more powerful than a mother’s love. From birth, this lovely woman devotes her life to us. She feeds us, clothes us and is always willing to listen to us when no one else will.
And what does she get for all of her love and compassion? Usually, she gets nothing but grief and ungratefulness. Of course, I am guilty as charged of being an ingrate. Most of us never appreciate our mothers until we become parents. Only then do we understand the sacrifices made by our mothers. I am embarrassed to say I didn’t always treat my mother with love and respect.
I had moments when I told her that I hated her and never wanted to speak to her again. I have even gone long periods without speaking to her. So why do we treat our mothers with such disrespect? The answer is simple. It’s because we take them for granted. We just assume they will always be around to pick us up when we fall down.
It’s easy to forget that these loving and nurturing women are human. Like a library book, they are on a short loan to us. And once they die, they are gone forever. We don’t get another mother. Have you given your mother a hug or told her how much you love her? If not, what are you waiting for? Don’t wait for Mother’s Day.
Want to know how powerful bond between a mother and her son? The bond has been expressed on countless battlefields throughout history.
It’s been reported that in a combat zone, wounded and dying soldiers have been known to cry out for their mothers. Some of these soldiers make it back home to their mothers. Unfortunately, many die calling out for their mothers. It doesn’t matter what type of wealth we accumulate or the type of car we drive, we all revert back to children when our mother is present.
As a child, I remember that my mother used to cook really nice dinners for my brothers and me. However, I noticed that she would always eat last. After everyone else got their food, my mother fixed her plate. I finally realized she did this because she wanted to make sure my brothers and I had enough to eat.
Although I am fortunate to still have my mother, many other people I know have lost their mothers. For them, Mother’s Day’s is a sad day because they won’t be having dinner with their mothers. Instead, they are left with memories of their mothers.
So if your mother is still alive, make sure she knows how much you love her. Even if she drives you crazy with her overprotective nature, you are fortunate she loves you unconditionally.
Of course fathers are great. But a mother’s love is unlike anything else we will ever experience. She gives birth to us and teaches us about life. She is often the first person to bandage our skinned knees or to hug us when our hearts are broken for the first time. Mom is the person to comfort and tell us that we will meet that special someone someday.
Mom is also the first one to offer a hug when we fail a big test or drop a potential winning touchdown. Although we may feel like a loser, our mothers will always call us a winner. She is our biggest cheerleader. My mother’s love has always been unconditional. No matter what I have said or done to this woman, she has always forgiven me without bearing a grudge.
With all of the stupid things I have said and done to her, I often wonder why she even bothers loving me or even allowing me in her home. I am sure many of you feel the same. You probably have regrets about how you treated your mother. But she continues to be in your corner when you don’t deserve it. And this is why Mother’s Day is the greatest holiday of the year. It’s a time to honor this special woman with unlimited love and patience. Psychologist Erich Fromm gave an accurate description of mothers. “Mother’s love is peace. It need not be acquired, it need not be deserved.”
Marc is a grandparent and longtime resident of Clermont County. Visit his author page Life with Grandpa and his blog Wise Grandpa.