Yesterday was mother’s day and I hope all of you mothers out there had an enjoyable day. I was discussing mother’s day with my six-year-old son and he informed me that I didn’t need presents because as a mother the only thing I really needed was my family, kisses, and hugs. (Although he did give me a paving stone that he made in his first grade class and a card.) His comment, startling in its simplicity made me think about what I really want as a mother.
He is right, the trimmery and trappings don’t really matter. What every mother wants to know is that their child loves them.
First of all I want to say that I have a great mother. My mother influenced a large part of who I am today. Because of her choice to stay home even during extreme financial difficulty I was blessed to come home to a mother every day. I in turn have made sacrifices in order to stay home with my own children. I don’t think the title of “Mother” is bestowed upon a person just because they give birth. I believe the title has to be earned through daily love and sacrifice.
One of my favorite quotes is by David O. McKay, former prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He said, “The ability and willingness to properly rear children, the gift of love, and eagerness to express it in soul development, make motherhood the noblest office or calling in the world. She who can paint a masterpiece or write a book that will influence millions deserves the admiration and the plaudits of mankind; but she who rears successfully a family of healthy, beautiful sons and daughters, whose influence will be felt through generations to come, deserves the highest honor that man can give, and the choicest blessings of God.”
My mother who raised three daughters and one son, who have all become healthy successful adults, does indeed deserve the highest honor the world can offer her. I guess that is the title of “Mother.” I hope that my children will always love me and one day I will have earned the title of “Mother”.