A Mother's Love

A mother's love is unconditional. The connection between a mother and her baby starts well before birth, forming a profound and unique bond that strengthens throughout pregnancy and beyond. Even before we can hear the baby's first heartbeat, our hearts are already filled with love, and the connection begins. We understand the roles of the placenta and the umbilical cord in transferring nutrients, oxygen, and hormones, which are crucial for the baby's growth, but there's so much more to it. I wasn't aware of this until I read about the hormonal changes a mother experiences. We often joke about the "crazy" pregnancy emotions, which I've learned are linked to the "love hormone," highlighting how our love and bond manifest through our emotions, deeply connecting us to our baby even while in the womb.

My Heart as Being a Mommy

With my firstborn son, I had weekly ultrasounds starting from 6 weeks into the pregnancy. I always knew right away when I was pregnant, and I had the opportunity to watch him grow each week for the first 13 weeks of his life. Hearing his first heartbeat and seeing his tiny arms and legs form was a beautiful experience. I treasured hearing his heartbeat, which reassured me he was okay. My love for him grew as he developed inside me. When he arrived, he was no stranger; he was mine, and I was his. My love for him was deep, unlike anything I had ever felt before. I became his protector and provider, and being a mother became the most important role in my life. I was lucky to spend endless time with both of my children, enjoying all the cuddles and love. Nothing else matters to me but being their mom. Our bond and love continued to grow during the pregnancy and still do. Being a mother is the most beautiful gift God has given us.

My Mother's Love for Me and Her Other Children

My mother passed away just over a year ago. She was diagnosed with brain cancer, which took her life quickly. During surgery to remove the cancer, which was about the size of a large lemon, she suffered a major stroke. This left her paralyzed on her left side and unable to speak or eat, with doctors warning that these effects might be permanent. It was one of the hardest experiences to endure. However, my mom was a fighter. She had five children, and only the love of a determined mother could achieve what she did. The doctors called it a miracle, but I would describe it as being a MOM—a mom with a mission and a desire stronger than any cancer or stroke, determined to be with her children one last time, to say goodbye and show them her love. She had a son, her firstborn, who had been in a terrible accident and was sent away at 17, and I know she fought to see him one last time, and she did. Although she didn't remember much, she knew who we were. Her memory was mostly gone, but her love for her children remained strong and undeniable. Despite being confused, scared, and overwhelmed by emotions due to the cancer, all she cared about was her kids. That's what we moms want—to know our children are safe, loved, and going to be okay. They never want to leave us or see us hurt or alone. Mom always wanted me and her other children to know how beautiful we were and how proud she was of us.

A Mothers Sacrifice

A mothers love is one of the purest and most enduring forms of love. Being a mother means we put our needs aside, we sacrifice even our sleep right from the beginning, we sacrifice our body and our personal time to ensure our child as all the things they need.

Unconditional Support

A mother's love is unconditional and not reliant on accomplishments. She provides support, solace, and acceptance, even when her child errs or encounters difficulties. A mother remains by her child's side through both good and bad times.

Endless Patience

We all recognize that motherhood requires patience, which can often be demanding. It necessitates that we uphold our patience while educating, guiding, and nurturing a child through each developmental phase. Even in challenging moments such as tantrums, rebellion, and misunderstandings, we express our profound love through patience. As I write this, I'm reminded of how patience can be tested, especially with all the tedious challenges life presents that can test our emotions and divert our focus from what truly matters.

Forgiveness

A mother's love allows us to forgive and cherish them by overlooking their mistakes and concentrating on their goodness and potential, aiding them in becoming who we believe they can be. A mother's forgiveness is given freely and without conditions, setting aside our disappointments and hurt to continue loving our children. How grateful I am to have a mother who continuously made me know I was worthy of forgiveness and who taught me about Jesus and his forgiveness towards me and all of us. Now, I show and teach my own kids about forgiveness, and not just to teach them that we as mothers forgive them, but that Jesus forgives and that they should also forgive themselves. Most importantly, this is such a big lesson I want my kids to know. This world we live in and the people they will encounter can be so unforgiving and hurtful. We must, as mothers, teach our children all the ways of forgiveness and to forgive others as well.

Protection

As mothers, we possess an innate capacity to shield our children from harm, often at a significant personal cost. Whether safeguarding them from physical threats or emotional distress, a mother's protective instincts are strong and beautiful, regardless of the form of motherhood. I enjoy watching the Discovery Channel, observing how animals protect their young, as it's remarkably similar to how we humans do it.

Nurturing and Encouragement

A mother nurtures her child's aspirations, talents, and uniqueness. She aids them in growing, exploring, and becoming their best selves, even if it means having to let go when the time comes. Personally, I'm not at that stage yet, but I often think about the future and fear that day, as many of us mothers do. Whether you're currently experiencing motherhood or, like me, it's just a future concern, I strive to prepare myself now to provide them with the nurturing and encouragement they'll need. This way, when the time comes, both they and I will be ready.

Enduring Presence

A mother's love persists through both time and distance. Regardless of her child's age or how far they travel, her love remains unwavering, providing comfort, guidance, and strength. I observed this love and strength in my own mother, and it was truly a beautiful and powerful experience. It was remarkable to see that nothing could deter her. Her love was so strong that it overcame any illness or disability caused by the terrible brain cancer she faced. It was truly powerful. It truly highlighted the strength of a mother and how their love for their child is one of the most powerful forces we possess as humans.

The Significance of Mother's Day to Me

A mother's selfless love is a constant, unwavering presence. It manifests in everyday acts of care and significant sacrifices, through tender words and strong protection. This love offers without expecting anything back, influencing lives with its warmth and resilience. In honor of Mother's Day, I wanted to share the love and meaning I've found in my own journey as a mother, as well as the deep love I've received from my own mother. This holiday holds a special place in my heart because it reminds me just how important a mother's love is in the lives of her children. Being a mother has taught me about selfless devotion, patience, and the unbreakable bond that shapes and supports us through life. This Mother's Day in particular and from here on out, I celebrate not only my own experiences, but also the incredible impact that mothers everywhere have on their children's hearts and futures. What an amazing gift we have to be mothers.

A mother's love is beautiful in all the ways.