If there is one thing every single person on this earth has in common, it is that every one of us has a mother.

Although the definition of a mother is different to some people, biologically speaking, we all have this in common. A large percentage of us share another trait: we all believe our mom is the best mom there is.

I am no exception to either of these truths, and as we celebrate our mothers this weekend, I hope you all feel the same.

Not being a mom myself, it is hard to put into words an adequate description of these females, who, in my opinion, are the most heroic people on the planet.

This truth is practically indisputable in the case of the vast majority of the women who hold the title. Think about it. These women have endured pain — emotional and physical — from the moment they first were able to hold the title, and they love unconditionally nonetheless.

From the moment of conception, mothers begin making sacrifices. They literally give up their bodies to give us life, and, as we grow, they give up their own interests and needs to make sure ours are met. You hear stories of women lifting cars off their children to save their lives, or stepping in front of oncoming bullet to shield their child from the pain. Though not always so blatantly demonstrated, moms make sacrifices of this magnitude every day, and you rarely hear a complaint or regret.

Mothers are teachers, the keepers of tradition, the at-home doctors, the cheerleaders. They are the tear driers, the monster-under-the-bed-scarers, the voice of wisdom we never want to admit was right.

No matter how old we get, they have the arms we want to run to when everything has gone wrong, the voice that calms our nerves, the eyes that see it all and the heart that never stops giving.

My own mother holds all of these titles and then some, and my admiration for her never stops growing. I know without a doubt I would not be the woman I am today without her, and if someday I can be even half the mother she has been to me, I’ll be a lucky woman.

This weekend, I will be celebrating this powerful woman and her unconditional love. Don’t forget to do the same.

 

Ambrosia Neldon is the managing editor at Leader Publications. She can be reached at (269) 687-7713, or by email at ambrosia.neldon@leaderpub.com.