Why Do We Honor Mothers and Motherhood?

My VIPs for this week are mothers – mothers of all ages but especially mothers with children between the ages of conception and 18-25 years of age. Once children are grown and starting families of their own, a mother’s work is mostly finished – other than a bit of advice or counsel here and there – and she is left to reap the results of her mothering. I hope that there are far more mothers who find joy in their posterity than those who find sorrow.

In an article published at The Deseret News, Jenet Jacob Erickson and Emily Ekins shared their thoughts about Mother’s Day, a day celebrated in the United States on the second Sunday of May. While searching for “the right Mother’s Day card,” one of the authors concluded that “No card could ever adequately capture the meaning and experience of motherhood.” The article continued with the following: 

From the moment of conception, the blood and bones of a mother’s body will build the blood, bones, heart, brain, and body of another life. When that soul emerges from her womb, he or she will look for her, knowing her smell, her voice, her heartbeat.

That mother will carry the cels of that infant in her body for, perhaps, the rest of her life, the living witness of a connection she cannot deny – as if part of her own heart is walking around outside of her.

But her motherhood involves far more than giving birth. This offspring will not independently trot off in a few hours, like other mammals. For nearly two decades, she will help this unbelievably dependent human being to survive, develop, and become.

This is no light thing. It’s no wonder it is hard to figure out how to talk about. It is, unquestioningly, the greatest power in the world – to create and enable another life. And it is also unquestioningly, an unparalleled commitment to sacrifice and devote one’s self to another.

My mother passed away one week prior to Mother’s Day in 1979, so I have not had an opportunity to give a physical gift or card to her. However, she continues to have an enormous influence in how I live my life. I strive always to make both my earthly parents and my Heavenly Parents pleased with my life.

I have been a mother for 53 years and am the mother of six children. I am also a grandmother of 19 grandchildren and great-grandmother of one great-grandchild. My greatest joys come from my children and grandchildren. God sent wonderful children to me, and then He sent wonderful grandchildren into the homes of my children.