I find myself calling my mom at least twice a week with the most random queries, convinced that she holds the key to the universe’s mysteries. Questions like, “How can I tell if this chicken is still fresh?” or “Is it really a must to hand wash this sweater?” or “What does poison ivy look like again?” Remember when you were a kid and lost something? Your mom always seemed to have a magical ability to find it. That uncanny skill might have transferred to you, and as a mother myself now, I truly understand the frustration of being the “Ultimate Finder of All Things.” Just the other day, I spent an hour hunting for a toy that I’m pretty sure fell into a black hole.
Our mother-daughter relationship has evolved through all the typical stages. As a little girl, I was her eager bike-riding companion and helped decorate the Christmas tree. During my rebellious preteen years, she ensured my sports uniforms were clean while I invited a horde of friends over without warning, sending her grocery bill through the roof. As a teenager, I often grumbled about her rules while secretly enjoying her unwavering support. It wasn’t until I hit college that I truly missed her homemade mashed potatoes and constant laundry service. In my 20s, she became my loudest cheerleader, my loyal defender, my shopping buddy, and even my wedding planner. Now, as a wife and mother in my mid-30s, I rely on her wisdom and support more than ever.
Over the past seven years, I can’t count the number of frantic calls I’ve made that resulted in her rushing over to help. When my son split his chin open on the shower rail, I was on speakerphone with her, holding him wrapped in a towel, anxiously waiting for her advice on whether we needed to go to the hospital. She graciously took my daughter, who was sitting in a cold bath, wondering why her mom was so frantic. A year earlier, she raced over when I called to say my daughter had cut her nose on a can of corn while I was cooking. I assure you, I’m not a negligent mom—my kids just happen to be a bit accident-prone, and my squeamishness around blood doesn’t help.
Let’s not forget my youngest; the moment the doctor informed me that she might need to be transferred to the ICU on her first day, my mom was the first person I called. Without hesitation, she returned to the hospital, spending the entire day rocking the baby and reassuring me that everything would turn out okay. And it did—moms always know. It’s a relief to have a grandma on standby, ready to offer comforting words and a soothing presence. She stocks up on Band-Aids for all sorts of scrapes, real or imagined, and delivers treats like popsicles and 7-Up to pampered grandkids.
It wasn’t until I became a mother that I understood how demanding that role truly is. I used to wonder why my mom was ready for bed by 9 p.m.; I thought it was just her being a party pooper. Now I see that she was simply exhausted from juggling work, house chores, cooking, and carpooling. Her day started long before the rest of us awoke, and she has kept this routine for the last 34 years, as my youngest brother is now a freshman in high school and still a few years away from leaving home. Now I know why moms don’t get “sick days”—the laundry won’t fold itself, and somehow kids think they need to eat every single day.
The impact of a mother is truly immeasurable. Her actions shape your habits, and her voice becomes your inner dialogue. Have you ever caught yourself saying something your mother used to say? I often tell my kids I want to “squeeze their guts out.” The first time I said it, my husband looked utterly horrified until I explained it was a way of saying I love them so much I want to give them a gigantic hug. (Some expressions, it seems, are lost in translation!)
A mother shines as a guiding light in life’s darkness, providing calm during chaotic times. She serves as both a confidant and a critic, a steadfast supporter and a cautious advisor. She knows how to mend broken hearts with shopping trips and cure boredom with marathons of reality TV and homemade popcorn slathered in butter. A mother sews torn prom dresses and pays for wedding gowns. She bakes your favorite birthday cake (mine is fresh coconut crème) while keeping diet soda on hand for dinner visits. She holds your deepest secrets and has witnessed your lowest moments, loving you unconditionally through it all. Over the years, she has dried your tears and shed a few of her own. She occupies a unique space in your life, having changed both your diapers and those of your children.
So today, as I reflect on my blessings and express gratitude for the remarkable people in my life, I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to all mothers who put their children’s needs above their own. Thank you for staying up late to help with assignments and waking up early to make breakfast. Thank you for balancing boardroom meetings with bleacher time. Thank you for skipping showers and hair appointments to make it to gymnastics classes. A special shoutout to single mothers who also take on the role of dad, shouldering the full weight of parenthood—I admire your selflessness and strength. To mothers who marry into motherhood and embrace the role with grace, thank you for demonstrating that love knows no blood ties. And to those who welcome children not born of their own bodies, you exemplify that a mother’s love is truly unconditional; the world could use more women like you. For the mothers who watch over us from above, we seek your wisdom in our hearts, and your absence is a daily reminder of your love. Though we wish to hear your voice just once more, we know you’re preparing our favorite cake for our joyful reunion while rocking our little ones until they arrive.
And to my own mom, thank you for setting the gold standard for motherhood and for loving my children as if they were your own. I may even forgive you for sending them back home loaded with cookies and sweet tea. I recognize karmic justice when I see it.
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Summary
The profound influence of mothers is woven into our lives through all stages of growth, from childhood to parenthood. They offer unwavering support, love, and advice that shape who we become. This tribute honors all mothers for their sacrifices, strength, and unconditional love, emphasizing the unique role they play in our lives.