Every May, we celebrate Mother’s Day with the women who mean the most to us: our moms, grandmothers, sisters, mother-in-laws, etc. It is an ideal time to thank these women for all they have done for us, and to shower them with the affection and appreciation that they truly deserve.
Looking back on my life, there are many other women who I owe so much to, and who have shaped not only the mother, but the woman that I am today. Some of the women who I appreciate the most on Mother’s Day have never held a traditional “motherly” role in my life, but have acted as mentors, advisors, supervisors, teachers, friends, and colleagues. Some of them are not even mothers in the conventional term, as they have not given birth to any children, but that is inconsequential. Regardless, their maternal nature has made a positive impact on my life, and inevitably, I am sure in many others lives, too.
So, in honor of all of these wonderful women, here are some things I would like to say regarding all they have done for me along the way:
Thank you for listening. Talk is cheap. What really counts is listening. And not just hearing; activly listening. Thank you for always listening to what I have to say, no matter if it was related to a frivolous matter, or a significant one.
Thank you for encouraging. Life can be a bear. At home, at work, in motherhood, in relationships – we all stumble through moments where we feel despondent. Thank you for recognizing these struggles, and offering guidance through these times. Your belief in me has motivated me in ways that I cannot articulate.
Thank you for not judging. Sometimes, we just need a person who we can be genuine with, a person who offers us a “safe space” to be ourselves. Thank you for creating that space, and allowing me say whatever is truly on my mind. Without that opportunity, I may have decided to make very different life choices, altering the place I find myself today.
Thank you for making time. Time is our most precious commodity. While there are countless other individuals in your life who have demanded your time for any number of reasons, you still make it a priority to find time to connect with me. Whether it is a brief five-minute phone call, or a two-hour leisurely lunch, receiving your attention has always meant so much.
Thank you for being you. You are the only you. Having you in my life has made me a better person, and I will forever be grateful for all you have done for me.
As the mother to a sweet and spunky 16-month-old little girl, Mother’s Day is an event that I most definitely look forward to, both for myself, and for the mother-figures in my life. But our mentors, advisors, supervisors, teachers, friends, colleagues, and all the other women out there who inspire us deserve to know that they are loved this Mother’s Day, too. So, Happy Mother’s Day; you are all truly phenomenal!
Happy Mother’s Day!
