Mom’s the Word

Mother’s Day …. The common thread of this day is we all have/had a Mom! For some this day is a celebration of love, acknowledging the woman who gave us life and taught us love. For others, it may be a celebration of choice of being a mom or not, or the wistful longing of a dream of motherhood not fulfilled.  

Our mom was the warrior in our family. She was caring, compassionate and brave, raising five children during the era when life was not easy. I am the person I am today because of her. Mom cared for me, even when I didn’t think I needed it. She let me fall when I needed to learn from my choices but she didn’t let me fail. She was the glue that held our family together. As I’ve grown older, I’ve become aware of just how much Mom sacrificed for me over the years. And most impactful in my life, she embraced me with love and support like no other when I became a single parent. She deeply ingrained in me that single mothers who don’t have the help of their child’s father are built different.

She was raised by a single Mom and understood that single Moms are warriors in soft skin, that they wake up every morning, wipe our own tears, push past exhaustion, and choose our child—over and over again, no matter how heavy the weight gets. They are mother and father; provider and protector; teacher and nurturer; disciplinarian and comforter all in one body that never really gets a break.

They carry guilt they never deserved. They question if they are enough even when they are giving everything. They battle loneliness in the quiet hours of the night, wondering if anyone will ever step up….not just for them, but for their child.

They don’t get sick days. They don’t get “me time” without careful planning. Every decision is made with their child in mind. Every dollar stretched farther than it should go. Every accomplishment, big or small, fought for with sweat and sacrifice.

And yet… They keep going. They keep showing up. They keep doing it alone, not because they want to, but because they refuse to let their child go without. They are not bitter….they are just tired. Not unloving… just cautious. Not broken….just carrying more than they ever should have had to.

Single mothers aren’t just “strong.” They’re powerful. Brave. Resilient. And the kind of love they give? Unmatched.

If you know one, honour her. Respect her. Never downplay the mountains she moves in silence. Because she’s built different. And her strength is the reason her child still smiles.

My Mom taught be to be strong. She supported me through my years of parenting when I was a single Mom. She showered me with tough love and most importantly, as the Nana to my daughter, she provided the extra love my child needed. Mom never wavered in her acceptance… her love was unconditional even when I made independent decisions that caused her angst. She was protective, the true definition of a mama bear. Her love did not set with the sun and it still blankets me all through the night. Mom was the biggest bloom in the bouquet of my life!

And as a Mom my daughter is one of life’s most precious gifts bringing joy, love, and endless pride to me. Watching her grow into a kind, strong, and accomplished individual has been fulfilling. She too is a warrior, a mama bear just like her Nana. Her journey from a tiny bundle to the beautiful woman she is today makes me grateful for everyday … I wouldn’t change a thing!