Mother

She is the sister you never had. She is the friend who helped you raise your children.  She is the woman who never had children, or who has not had any yet, but who nurtures every child who comes her way.  She is the daughter who rises to the occasion when you need her most.  If she is your mother, you are blessed with her, and if she is not your mother, you are blessed by her.

Hers is the honor of dirty diapers, broken bones, snotty noses, and fixing broken dreams.  Hers is the honor of endless housework, learning to cook everyone’s favorite meal, and feeding an army with an empty pantry.  Hers are the sleepless nights when the children are sick, when the teenagers do not come home, when the last dollar was spent on food, but there are other needs still to supply.  She is the one who everyone thinks is invincible, but in all reality is so vulnerable.  To her falls the duty of assigning chores to children that she will end up completing herself. 

She may be married, or she may be single, but she will never find a moment alone.  If she has no children of her own, someone will bring her theirs and she will gladly nurture them.  If you are heartbroken, no matter how old you are, she will comfort you, feed you, and restore your faith in humanity. 

She is your mentor, your friend, and your ally when everyone else bails on you.  She may not be YOUR mother, but she is a mother in your life who pointed out the pathways of life to you and lifted you up to walk on them. 

She cries when you cry, she rejoices when you succeed, and in the meantime, she prays for you and provides for you.  Without her, you would have never found your way, and with her, you will never lose it. 

God has blessed her with his vision, his patience, and his wisdom, but most of all He has blessed her with His loving heart. 

If you have a mother in your life, no matter if she is yours or not, bless her today with the love she has shown you.  

Copyright © 2011 by Susan Linn-Gomez. All Rights Reserved.

Proverbs 23:25
May your father and mother rejoice; may she who gave you birth be joyful!