What makes a mother? Are you a mother because you have a child? Are you a mother because you share the same genes with another human being? Oprah Winfrey once said, "Biology is the least of what makes someone a mother."
Mothers are the women in your life that guide you, that pick you up when you fall, that make room for you in their heart and open their lives to you. If that is what qualifies a mother, I think these women deserve so much more than just one day of appreciation. Here are some reasons why every day should be Mother's Day.
1. They always answer your call.
My mom is always the first person I want to call when I've had a good day, a bad day, need to vent, complain about the smallest inconvenience or celebrate the big moments, the list goes on. Regardless of my reason for calling her, she always answers my call.
2. They always put our needs before their own.
My mom is the most selfless person I know. She has a servant's heart, even when I am being a real brat. My mom may have had a stressful day at work but she would forget all of that in a heartbeat if my sisters or I needed her help.
3. They feel like home.
There is something about hearing your mother's voice that can bring you to tears. They always know exactly what to say when you are on the verge of a breakdown. They could say anything in that moment and you would feel 167 times better.
4. The "mom" smell.
Every mom has that smell. When you smell that smell, it's like you're five again and everything seems right in the world.
5. They would do anything to help you succeed.
They believe in you even when you don't believe in you. Moms are our number one fans and without them, I don't think half of us would have made it this far.
6. No matter how bad you screw up, they still love you.
Some of us screw up bad, real bad. Life gets hard and it's easy to get beaten down. No one in this world loves you as much as your mother does. When it feels like the world is ending, they will pick you up and just hold you and tell you how loved you are.
The list could go on and on. It is important to remember that biology doesn't always decide who our mothers are. They are women in all facets of our lives. Women that have encouraged us to achieve things we never thought we would, women who have supported us through the good the bad and the ugly, women who have inspired us in ways they could never imagine. Appreciate the women who have made a difference in your life, I know I would not be here without them.
This article was inspired by my intelligent, warmhearted and beautiful mother, Sara Griffin. She is always the first one to like my Odyssey articles on Facebook. She was always sitting in the crowd full of other moms to cheer my sisters and I on at every one of our dance, music, school or sports events. Rain or shine, she was there.
She was always the first one to tell me she loved me even when I did not act in a way that deserved that love. She is the most remarkable mother and I am so lucky to have been raised by such an inspirational woman.