Every year, the second Sunday of May blooms with the celebration of the women who raised us, shaped us, and loved us through everything—Mother’s Day. Remember that mother’s are not just those who gave birth to us or who we lived with, but any female who sacrificed and gave of themselves and loved us along life’s journey to help us become the person we are today. While one day is far too short to express the gratitude owed to mothers, it’s a beautiful opportunity to shine a spotlight on their quiet sacrifices, incredible love, and steady presence.
The Many Roles of a Mother
A mother wears many hats—teacher, nurse, counselor, chef, cheerleader, disciplinarian, and protector. From the moment we come into a mom’s life, her priorities shift, her heart grows, and her days revolve around the life or lives that she’s nurturing.
Motherhood is not a role with clear instructions. There are no manuals, no guarantees, and certainly no breaks. It’s a lifelong commitment fueled by instinct and love. Whether biological, adoptive, step, or chosen, mothers show us what it means to care deeply and give endlessly.
Even in their imperfections—and perhaps especially because of them—mothers teach us resilience, empathy, compassion and strength. The stories we grow up with, the little life lessons we absorb, and the memories that form our foundation are all often rooted in the arms and hearts of our mothers.
A Day to Remember, Not Just to Gift
It’s easy to fall into the trap of commercialization—flowers, chocolates, cards, and brunches. And while there’s nothing wrong with those (who doesn’t love waffles or eggs Benedict, mimosa’s and tulips?), Mother’s Day is about more than gestures. It’s about recognition with a genuine “thank you.” Including a deep unhurried conversation, a moment of undivided attention which shows our deep admiration and love for the mother’s in our lives.
For some this day is joyful. For others, it can be bittersweet or even painful. Not everyone has a biological mother in their life, and not every mother-child relationship is ideal. However, most of us can think back and recognize that there was a woman in our lives that exemplifies some of the major characteristics above to influence our lives positively. There are also mothers who grieve, mothers who yearn, and those who mother in ways that go unacknowledged because they couldn’t have biological children of their own. It’s important to hold space for all of these experiences and mothers.
Mother’s Day is, at its heart, about love—and love doesn’t fit into a box of expectations. It stretches and morphs, just like the role of a mother does.
Lessons From Moms
Ask anyone about their mother and you’re bound to hear a touching story. Maybe it’s about how she made the best lasagna or those tasty desserts for your family and friends or how she worked two jobs to make sure her kids could go to college. Perhaps your were one of the kids she helped teach, care for and love while working at her job, meanwhile she had children of her own at home waiting for her devotion and guidance as well. Maybe it’s about her laugh, her hugs, or the way she stayed with you in hard times not just the good ones. I recall my own mom watching me struggle to type a paper in school late into the wee morning hours and she typed the rest for me as I relayed the information needed for my paper, so that I could get some sleep prior to school that day. Perhaps she taught you to reach for your dreams and that you can accomplish anything with hard work and determination. Mother’s are often there when you least expect it and help you to never give up on yourself because they have not given up on you even if you are resistant and not there yet.
Mothers leave imprints that last a lifetime. My own mother, for example, taught me how to find calm in chaos. I remember her patience and stability during storms both literal and metaphorical. When the power went out or life threw curveballs, she was the anchor. Her ability to keep moving forward, no matter how hard things got, has stayed with me. I see it all now because I keep moving forward in my approach to challenges in life. I too can comfort others, and be there always even when my own strength isn’t roaring for more, but just like my mother role modeled and perhaps yours too, we learned to keep showing up even if just to listen.
That’s what mothers do. They show up no matter the situation day after day, sometimes without thanks, sometimes through tears, always with love.
Honoring Mothers in Our Lives
This Mother’s Day, take a moment beyond the traditions. Write her a letter. Ask her stories you’ve never heard before. Spend time in her world—whatever that looks like now. And if your mother is no longer with you, honor her memory. Light a candle, plant her favorite flower, cook her favorite dish, and most of all share her stories and any photos with someone else.
In addition take the time to recognize the women who have mothered you in other ways—grandmothers, aunts, teachers, mentors, friends and coaches. Remember that motherhood is not defined by biology; it’s defined by care, consistency, and compassion.
The Quiet Heroes
Mothers are often the quiet heroes in the background, making magic from the mundane. They’re the ones who remember where to find everything you need, know your favorite comfort food, usually give the best advice (even if you don’t always take it right away), and who champion your wins better than anyone else in the world.
So today, we celebrate the women who loved us before we knew how to love ourselves. They are the women who believed in us even when we doubted ourselves and the women who made us who we are today.
Happy Mother’s Day to every mom in our lives whether past or present, because your love makes the world a more kinder, gentler, enduring, and beautiful place.