Happy Mother’s Day everyone!
Here in the UK we are celebrating Mother’s Day today whereas in other parts of the world it is usually celebrated in May.
No matter when you celebrate Mother’s Day, it’s all about making it a special day for the person who brought you into this world.
A while ago I wrote about what my mother means to me and how it was important to honour and love your mother every day and not just on Mother’s Day.
In that article, I wrote about just what my mother means to me and how I can simply not imagine my life without my mother.
Though she lives less than hundred miles away from me, rarely does a day go by when I do not speak to her. We might as well be living together as our lives are still so intertwined. She is like a pillar in my life – always there and available.
More than a pillar, she is like a favourite pillow or cuddly toy – you know where to turn to for some warmth, comfort and reassurance.
“A mother is a person who seeing there are only four pieces of pie for five people, promptly announces she never did care for pie”. ~Tenneva Jordan
The key is also to celebrate and honour your mother whilst you still can.
So what does your mother mean to you? Please do share below in the comments section.
This week I asked a few blogger friends what their mother means to them – and I was so moved by what they had to say.
This shows that at the end of the day, we are all just human and we are all moved by such heart-felt stories:-
1. “My mother is love, kindness, sweetness, and beauty wrapped into one tiny body. Although she died 7 years ago, I think of her every day…and I feel her love coming through me.
Her family and her writing were her passions. Today when people tell me that I remind them of my Mom, I am honored.” – Fran Sorin
————————————————————————————————————————
2. “I used to say that I was the apple and my mom was the tree, and I certainly didn’t fall very far. But that’s not entirely accurate. If my mom is the tree, then I’m the bird that grew up in its branches.
She protected me and showed me that, even on the highest of branches, there was nothing to be afraid of. She encouraged me to explore and gave me a solid foundation to come home to. I didn’t fall from her. I flew because of her.” – Melody Fletcher
Melody has even produced a special Mother’s Day video:-
————————————————————————————————————————
3. “My mom was my mentor and continues to be my inspiration in life. In spite of a tough life, she was always kind, loving and cheerful.
She more or less shaped the way I am today. I am lucky that she had a strong influence on my son, Vidur, too and my husband Sury adored her. She was generous in life and generous in death. She lives in our hearts.” – Vidya Suri
In honour of her mother’s memory, Vidya has created an entire blog for her mother!
Do read more about Vidya’s amazing mother and check out her speech on Indian Republic Day.
Vidya also shared a couple of Haiku about mothers:-
Mom.
Legacy of immortal love that conquers all.
Eternally.
Right from womb to grave
She gave infinite love, life
Irreplaceable.
————————————————————————————————————————
4. “We all have different experiences with our mothers. Some mothers are sweet, loving and supportive and others – not so much.
No matter what your experience with your mother, love her for giving you the greatest gift of all — the gift of life.” – Angela Artemis
————————————————————————————————————————
5. “When no one is listening and nothing seems right, I run to my mother.
Just one look from her and I melt. She is my anchor, my best friend, my biggest fan and my constant supporter. She loves without expecting. Today, she is older and I’ve uprooted my life to be closer to her.
I see her everyday and on days I don’t, I know there is something missing. In Islam it’s said that Heaven is in your mothers feet….and I massage those feet everyday. Heaven to me is right where she is.
As a mother today, I love my daughter unconditionally and truly do understand what it feels like to have your heart walk around the world. Mothers bind families with their love…and that love binds worlds together too. It all begins with a loving mother.” – Zeenat Merchant Syal
Please do also check out Zeenat’s very special post about her lessons from motherhood.
————————————————————————————————————————
6. “My Mom (I always capitalize that word out of the deep respect and place of honor I hold her in) is the most loving and decent person I know. The countless sacrifices she bore for us kids growing up are a debt I can never repay.
She has always been my biggest fan, even when no one else was. Her parental philosophy was that she could either have a spotless home or she could pour all her attention and energy into her kids. Let’s just say that our home was not spotless.
And I am eternally thankful to her for that.” – Ken Wert
————————————————————————————————————————
7. My friend Betsy McKee Henry, aka The Zen Mama shared a whole poem she wrote for Mother’s Day:-
“When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw you hang up my first painting on the refrigerator, and I wanted to paint another one.
When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw you feed a stray cat, and I thought it was good to be kind to animals.
When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw you make my favorite cake for me, and I knew that little things are special things.
When you thought I wasn’t looking, I felt you kiss me goodnight, and I felt loved.
When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw that you cared, and I wanted to be everything that I could be.
When you thought I wasn’t looking, I LOOKED…. and wanted to say thanks for all the things I saw when you thought I wasn’t looking.”
And what is a Zen Mama!? She is a devoted mother who has tried to stop worrying, who has let go of the attachment of an outcome and in doing so has become closer to her children.
————————————————————————————————————————
So there you are – some thoughts about mothers from imminent bloggers around the world.
What is a Mother?
A mother is someone to shelter and guide us
To love us, whatever we do.
With a warm understanding and infinite patience
And wonderful gentleness too.How often a mother means swift reassurance
In soothing our small, childish fears,
How tenderly mothers watch over their children
And treasure them all through the years!The heart of a mother is full of forgiveness
For any mistake, big or small,
And generous always in helping her family
Whose needs she has placed above all.A mother can utter a word of compassion
And make all our cares fall away,
She can brighten a home with the sound of her laughter
And make life delightful and gay.A mother possesses incredible wisdom
And wonderful insight and skill –
In each human heart is that one special corner
Which only a mother can fill!– Katherine Nelson Davis
————————————————————————————————————————
Now over to you – what does your mother mean to you?
Mum was always about deep inner strength – strength to bear witness to hardship she faced through much of her life, and offering strength, solace and straightforwardness to close family and friends who have struggled with day-to-day challenges in life.
When I hear about her strong character from others, and when I think about her life, I realise that in the 50 years she lived, she gave and gave and gave. What was special is that she found the perfect balance between having patience with the most testing of people while tactfully telling them when something’s not acceptable.
Mums have grace in their approach to life that no son could ever fault.
Suraj, having had the pleasure of meeting your late mother a few times, I know just what a special person she was.
Her legacy and her love lives on in her two sons :-).
Wait. I can’t see through my tears.
A huge hug to you, Arvind, for such a beautiful post. I love the photos of your mom and parents. You know, I only have one photo of my mother and father together – wedding photo. My biological father left for higher studies to the US just three months before I was born and I have never seen him. I met him just once, but that’s another story.
I loved Fran’s, Zeenat’s, Melody’s and Angela’s words.
What can I say? I miss my Mom every single day – she was my best friend and it was like we practically grew up together as we were less than 18 years apart.
Thank you for your generosity in including me in this post – it means a lot to me.
Big hugs and love to you, Vidya
Vidya, thanks for sharing your mother and her legacy with us.
She is still with you every day, looking down on you with shining eyes 🙂
Jaky, we recite that every day in our house. And my son Vidur’s take on “Mata, Pita, Guru, Deivam” (Mother, Father, Guru, God)? He always says Mata, Pita, Guru = Devi (Devi = my mother, his grandmother).
Hi Arvind,
What a lovely tribute to your mother. I love her picture, she is a beautiful women.
My mother was the rock of our family. Sacrificing so that we could have a better life. She modeled hard work, responsibility and determination. She was a powerhouse in her own way. The gift I take away from my mother is to be true to yourself and not be influenced by those around you. My mother was a wonderful example of living life to the fullest.
Have a wonderful Mother’s Day with your family.
Cathy, thanks! My mother is indeed a beautiful woman, both inside and outside.
Like your mother, she too is the rock of our family.
I love how your mother lived life to the full. What a gift for her children!
Hi Arvind,
How incredibly beautiful! You definitely captured the essence that you wished to share:)
Your words, the words of all who contributed, Melody’s video..gorgeous!
I don’t know my mom, but people who knew her say that we are alike in looks, and mannerisms and spunk. Having grown up without a mom, the best I can do is to honor my role as mother in my children’s life and be the person I wish I had in my own.
Thank you for loving and appreciating your mother and giving others the space to do the same:)
Joy, thanks for your kind words.
Even though you didn’t know your mom, her legacy lives on through how you live and the way you are bringing up your children.
Please continue always doing the amazing work you are doing – you’ve certainly found your true calling!
Hey Arvind,
I’m so honored to have my words included here. My mom is my best friend, my mentor, my coach. The older I get, the more independent I get and yet the at the same time, the closer we seem to become. The Universe definitely got this one right, it gave me the perfect mom for me. :o)
Huge hugs!
Melody
Melody, your mom sounds like a wonderful person. She has certainly done a great job in molding you:-)
Perfect mom, perfect daughter!
I miss my mum 🙁
happy Mother”s Day
Nikky, your mother will always be with you, giving you strength, guidance and love 🙂
thank you Arvind <3
What a beautiful post Arvind! I love what you said, “Celebrate and honour your mother whilst you still can.” I did this on Friday when I spent the day at the Botanical gardens and out to lunch with my mother, even though I had many, many things to do at home. I loved reading what everyone had to say. I especially like Melody’s video.
Thanks for including me!
PS What a beautiful mother you have!
PS Thanks – she is a beautiful mother!
Betsy, thanks for sharing about your day with your mother at the botanical gardens. Lucky mother, lucky daughter:-)
The lesson is that it’s so easy and possible for us to drop our “busyness” and spend time with those people that really matter.
I’m glad I came across this post, because it’s something I need to think about.
My relationship with my mother is quite difficult. It has always been my dad who was my steadfast teacher, protecting and loving no matter what. My mother and I don’t relate very well, and I often find her morals and priorities in life to be far different than my own.
But I am not finding the whole picture. Your post is challenging me to look at her with new eyes.
So thank you!
Tathata, thanks for your honesty in sharing about your relationship with your mother.
I invite you to visit this post I wrote 2 years ago:-
https://www.arvinddevalia.com/honour-and-love-your-mother-every-day-not-just-on-mothers-day/
Half way down, I have mentioned Bernie Siegel and how on his audio tape called “Healing Relationships” he talk about how the relationship between a daughter and challenging mother was healed.
The lesson I have learnt is that we don’t always have to agree with our loved ones to be able to love them.
Arvind…
What a heartwarming post about your mother and allowing others contribute our thoughts (thanks for including me). The photos of your Mom say it all….she has kindness and love in her eyes (she’s also beautiful). Your phrase ‘I can’t imagine living without her’ brings tears to my eyes. Thank you Arvind for giving me pause to reflect on my mom. xxoo-Fran
Fran, thanks for your comments and your contribution to this post.
ALL mothers are beautiful:-)
I am just off to make some juice for my mother…
Thanks Jaky for the lovely reminder of that Sanskrit mantra. There’s so much wisdom and beauty in our vedic heritage:-)
Hi Arvind…Our mothers are really important to us and we are all aware with it…It is also a must to show them we love them because soon, we will be mothers and parents too…
Jesslie, indeed we’ll all be parents too one day – or at least most of us will.
I read somewhere once that the best gift a father can give his children is to love their mother 🙂
Arvind,
Simply beautiful. I loved watching the video and feeling the amazing love pour through the words of the bloggers. A good cry first thing in the morning dedicated to the toughest job in the world …motherhood. This shows what a loving and caring person you are. I’m glad I know you.
Tess, as you say, there was some amazing love pouring out from all our blogger friends for mothers all around the world:-)
Thanks for your kind words – but I am sorry to have made you cry!
Arvind,
I want to thank you for sharing this beautiful post about your mother. I lost my mother a month ago, but she is with me in spirit.
She left a profound impression on my life,-one I can’t even fathom. As I continue to parent my teen, I have tried to learn from all the things she taught me, (both negative and positive) and am thankful for the blessing she left.
Kelly, welcome to my blog.
I am really sorry about the lose of your dear mother a month ago. Her wonderful legacy lives on through you and your teenager.
Let her legacy, her blessings and her eternal love for you comfort you, as you go through your grieving and healing journey.
Lots of love
Arvind
What my mother means to me. My best friend, my heart, my love, all things good (even in the bad times). Just complete love and respect for them as a person, a woman, GOD’s gift to me as a person.
I would like to send a message to heaven to my mother whom I miss so very much. She was my life, My heart and soul. It is hard now that she is gone. NO close love like we had NO MORE. She is truly missed.
She lived to be 80, but a young 80 years. It was not long enough for me. Her wish was to make it to 90. She really tried hard to that.
ALL MY LOVE MOM YOU DAUGHTER MISSES YOU THE PAIN IS OVER WHELMING THIS IS THE HARDEST WEEKEND FOR ME.
BECAUSE MY DAUGHTER IS NOTHING LIKE ME. SHE FINDS THE TIME WHEN IT IS CONVEINENT FOR HER. LIKE THE DAY BEFORE OF A WEEK LATER.
GOD BLESS MY MAMA VICTORIA ANGEL IN HEAVEN
THANK GOD FOR MY SON WHO NEVER FORGETS ME, WHAT A SWEETHEART HE IS. THERE IS ANOTHER ANGEL WITH ME
RITA
Rita, sounds like your late mother was an amazing person.
Thanks for sharing what she meant to you – and her legacy lives on through you:-)