Sunday is Mother’s Day, the annual celebration and observance of the role mothers have in our lives. We also should recognize that our collective culture, which sometimes can be retributive and insensitive, would do well to take some cues from our mothers, who love absolutely and without condition, no matter the circumstance.
In today’s society it is almost a foreign concept to love without an expectation of reciprocity. We are taught, unfortunately, that life is transactional. Friendship, love, respect, and dignity tend to be merit-based.
A mother’s love, however, has no basis in reciprocation or exchange and is wholly unearned. It is transcendent but undeserved. It is bestowed upon us, a gift without strings attached. Our mothers love us in good times and bad. They love us in times of favor and failure. They love us in spite of ourselves. Sometimes they might not like us, but they always love us. What would it take to treat our neighbors in the same way?
Few among us — especially as teenagers — quite live up to the hopes, dreams, and effort of our mothers. We make them worry and cry, pace and pray, scratch their heads, and wring their hands. Our mothers do this throughout their lives and throughout ours, no matter our age, location, accomplishments, or station in life.
Most of us, even at our best, are far from worthy of the effort and affection of our mothers — a mother’s love defies reason. And, mercifully, it never expires, as the dates on a gallon of milk or a vehicle warranty might.
A mother’s affection also becomes our conscience, the voice on our shoulder practically begging us to act like ladies and gentleman, to be somebody in whom she recognizes herself, her love, and the fruits of her hard work.
On Mother’s Day we rightfully heap adoration on the mothers of ours who are still around and recollect with reverence those who have passed. Certainly they appreciate being honored, thanked, and remembered.
We also wonder whether our mothers wish that we would learn from their love, sympathy, understanding, and dedication, and impart it upon a world largely lacking in those critical qualities.
On Mother’s Day, let our mothers’
