Mother is a term that is oft overlooked and taken for granted after all everyone has one, and heck many people have more than one. It does not take an education or degree of any type to become a mother, its so easy to become a mother that more and more people are achieving motherhood before they even graduate high school, and according to the internet the youngest mother of record is only 5 years old. Its so easy to become a mom that many people achieve motherhood without even trying. So what's so special about mothers that we set aside a whole day out of 365 just for them?
Well when I think of my mom and all the mothers (my grandmothers, my aunts, my friends mothers, the mother of my son, the mothers of nieces and nephews) in my life some of the first things that come to mind are: Generosity, Love, Sacrifice, and Selflessness. And these are just a few of the many characteristics that I believe empower most if not all mothers. Not only do they possess these great qualities they overflow with them showering their greatness upon their children and those around them.
While combined all these characteristics a mother makes, I would like to look closer at each of them individually based upon the influences I have experienced first hand with the mothers in my life.
Generosity: the quality of being kind and generous
As I mentioned before there are no degrees or certifications to becoming a mother, but I don't believe anyone can or has given birth to a child without having the quality of being kind and generous. Even if pregnancy was not the plan or the intention. The process of growing a child within you for nine months is more kind and generous than anything else any of us do in this life. And despite the circumstances every child who is given the opportunity to grow and live within their mothers womb is granted the gift of life from their mother. And while this gift is oft overlooked it is truly a an act of generosity, especially in a world where society often makes alternative options seem so valid and easy. While being a man i have never and never will be required to make the decision of granting life unto a child, I personally don't believe that there should be any question as I believe life begins at conception. So I am thankful to all women whose generosity has brought life into this world, because without it we truly would cease to exist.
While my initial thought was to work through these alphabetically I think I am going to Sacrifice as it is so intertwined with my thoughts on Generosity.
Sacrifice: an act of giving up something valued for the sake of something else regarded as more important or worthy
Like I said my thoughts on Sacrifice are very intertwined with my thoughts on Generosity. The gift of life that is given comes at a great Sacrifice on the mothers part, as the process of providing life and shelter to the child within them not only is laborious, but can effect their health negatively even to the extreme of death. While not all women and/or girls who become pregnant are willing to make this sacrifice but those who do should be recognized and honored for their sacrifice. While many women make this sacrifice in order to build up and create a family for themselves and their husbands. There are also many whom I feel make even a greater sacrifice, and that is those mothers who face unexpected pregnancies and despite not being ready or able to take on the full responsibilities of becoming a full-time parent, but yet they they still choose life. They not only sacrifice of themselves for nine months of carrying a child, and grant the child with the opportunity to live. But they also choose to sacrifice the opportunity of raising this sweet being they have brought into the world, in order to give they child an opportunity to become a part of a forever family. While I would encourage all mothers (and fathers) to consider all options (on the side of life that is.) before choosing adoption. But if you decide to raise up your child or place them in a forever family through adoption, I commend you on your great Generosity, Sacrifice , and Love.
Love: a feeling of strong or constant affection for a person
And just like I said before that Sacrifice and Generosity were intertwined we would likely never see either of them without Love. In my opinion Love and hate are what makes the world go around, because without either of them we would not have desire or motivation to do anything beyond the natural desire to survive. But the love and/or the hate of something motivates and pushes us to do more or less. If we did not care (love) about those around us and in our lives we would do only what it takes to survive, or even less if we don't love ourselves. So I believe that it is the love a mother has for her child or future child that motivates them to become a mother and gives them the strength to endure the sacrifices involved in becoming a mother. Or sometimes through the love of other things and desires motherhood is brought on unexpectedly. But regardless if motivation or intention it is the love of the child that gives all mothers the strength and motivation to generously give the gift of life to their unborn child, through their great sacrifice.
Selflessness: concerned more with the needs and wishes of others than with one's own
Once again it seems that the last characteristic that I thought of is again intertwined with all of the rest. While when I thought about the mothers in my lives it was not my intention to weave a tangled web of definitions, it is becoming clearer to me that these great characteristics all work together to make our mothers the strong and wonderful people that they are. How could anyone become a mother with out overcoming the selfishness that we are all born with. Our mothers give so much of their selves through generosity and love, sacrificing so much with concern to their own selfish needs and desires.
And while the Generosity, Sacrifice, Love, and Selflessness of a mother begins with the gift of life, it definitely does not end there. As every step of motherhood continues to pull and strain on these attributes for the rest of eternity. Whether it be through raising your child, or contemplating the choices you have made for them hoping it was the right one. Perhaps seeing them falter, and feeling helpless as your forced to let them make their own decisions. Or sometimes despite all the love and care you provide maybe its not enough to bring them through everything (health and or worldly struggles, and you doubt if you've done enough. Or if you've chose to place a child in a forever home perhaps you will struggle not knowing where they are or how they are doing. But regardless of your situation know that you are loved and cherished for all that you have done for each of us.
