“A mother’s love for her child is the same all over the world. It is the gift of life, and all other gifts are reflections of it.” (Edna Hibel)
As I reflect upon my voyage as a mom, I remember with great affection my first role models. When it came to mothering, both my mother and mother-in-law had admirable strength, empathy, and loving convictions. My very gracious mother-in-law once said to me, “You can never spoil a child with love.
This resonated with me completely after becoming a mother myself.
Although mothers give the gift of life to their children, I am reminded of Kahlil Gibran’s message from The Prophet:
“Your children are not your children.
They are sons and daughters of Life’s longing for itself.
They come through you but not from you.
And though they are with you yet they belong not to you. read more….
Thirty-four years ago, about to become a first time mother, I imagined spending magical moments with my infant child. Holding him, kissing his tiny brow, rocking him to sleep while humming “Hush little baby don’t say a word….” and loving him from a place completely new to me. This love felt powerful and eternal—and it changed me. This love lived deep in my heart yet rippled throughout every part of my being, beyond my ‘self’. This pure and complete love has been a precious gift along side the birth of each of my three sons.
In as much as I’ve given them the gift of life, they have gifted me with many of life’s lessons. They have reminded me to to jump in those puddles, not take anyone or anything too seriously, or for granted, and to be grateful for the small stuff. Each of them provided me endless opportunities to learn patience, forgiveness and to admit when I made a mistake, and make them I did. Of all life’s lessons, it is through my sons that I’ve learned to embrace life. In the most unselfish of ways, each son has been a guiding light of what Gibran says is, “Life’s longing for itself.”
On Mother’s Day, I celebrate these gifts of life and light, with motherly love.
Happy Mother’s Day to you and yours!
Warm regards,
Marla O’Brien
Gramma Gaga 
This is so touching and beautiful, Marla! It was hard to read through the tears! Well done!
Thank you Helene. You’re very kind to comment!
Marla you never fail to make me cry, laugh, reflect, or to inspire and encourage me. I love the way you write. Always worth the read. Never disappoints. I’m always looking forward to the next one.
Happy Mothers Day!
Thank you for this heartfelt message. It means the world to me to hear your comments. Happy Mother’s Day to you as well xoxo!