A mother is our first shield and protector as she cares for us in the womb. She is the first voice we hear. Later, as we enter the world, she becomes a source of food and comfort. She is the first song we hear as she rocks us to sleep.

As we grow bigger, she is a teacher and encourager. She’s our biggest fan.

Through those wonder years of young adolescence, she teaches us how to express ourselves within boundaries and to be friends with all walks of life. My mother supported me during my bell-bottom, knee-sock wearing phase in middle school and taught me that to have friends, I had to be a friend (and not just with one particular group of people). She taught me how to stand up for myself. My mother is and was classy in how she approached people who were not so kind to me in those years. To be fair, kids at this age are trying to find themselves and sometimes that can be at the expense of others (doesn’t justify actions, but it happens). She didn’t run and call their parents. She taught me the value of loving myself for who I was. I had the choice in how to respond to negativity, and I was to be the bigger person. She also taught me how to dance in our den to a record player and not to take myself so seriously.

Later in high school, as I began to grow my wings, she supported me traveling through DECA trips. A mother prepares her nest for independence through tears and fear. She encouraged me in college to take a job in a field I was getting a major in, as I would know for sure that’s what I wanted to do. Mothers are wise.

When life has its disappointments (as they tend to do), a mother hurts as much or more than we do. If we so happen to face a scary diagnosis, a mother is there to be a support, even if it scares the hell out of them. My mother was at almost every chemo treatment of mine. I can only imagine how she felt at the time. Mothers put on a brave face for us and push us onward.

Mothers become our best friends- as I know mine is. They become the person’s voice we long to hear during the day and the hug we need at the end of the day, even as grown women. We find that we are more like them than we ever imagined as teenagers. I am blessed to call mine every day and see her as often and as much as I like.

Then, one day, we gain a mother-in-law, and she becomes a bonus mom of sorts. She welcomes you into her family with open arms and makes you feel a part. If you are so blessed as I am, she too becomes a friend. She teaches you as well and supports you.

If you so choose, you may become a mother (adopted or birth). It’s the greatest gift I’ve ever received-these two boys of mine. As I write this, tears well up in my eyes. I will try to be the mother I have (though I am not even close). You will never experience so much joy, happiness, fear, and pain as being a mother but yet someone you know God has chosen you to do the greatest honor.

Thank God for mothers (thank you for allowing me to be one).