On Mother's Day

Heroes come in many forms. They are there for us at the darkest times, and champion us when the sun is shining.  

It’s a funny thing that mothers are only celebrated one day a year, at least officially.

There have been many quiet moments when I have celebrated my mother, my hero.

I have celebrated my mother in the morning, when she has been there faithfully, always ready to listen, cup of tea in hand for each of us. Or in the car, riding from one adventure to another, when I’ve realized that she’s been a better friend to me than any other. I have celebrated her grace and kindness and effortless ability to always love me no matter what. And when my heart was breaking and it felt like my whole world was coming to an end, her arms have always been there. I have celebrated my mother in countless quiet moments.

And tucked away quietly in the spring month of May, there is a single occasion when all of us celebrate our mothers, and if we’re very, very lucky, get to spend the day with her. Mother’s Day is an opportunity to do something sweet for the women in our lives, whether it be a phone call, or a trip out to lunch or an entire day filled with special surprises. It’s a holiday to honor the woman who has always been there, whether she be a mother via biology or through grace.  

Cartersville native Francie Brown didn’t miss out on the opportunity to spend some time with her mother this year.

“We went out on the lake for Mother’s Day,” said Brown. “It was a nice low-key day. We ate sandwiches and gave Mom a break from cooking dinner. The whole family had a great afternoon together enjoying our best asset, our mother.”

Paula Simpson, who has lived in Cartersville for many years now, celebrated a bitter sweet Mother’s Day this year.

“There’s nothing sweeter than having your kids around you,” said Simpson. “This was the first year that I didn’t have all three of my children with me for my day. My daughter is working in Spain and my oldest son is away training with the military. So I celebrated with my youngest son and my husband today.”

But Simpson has an approaching trip to Europe to look forward to, when she and her mother will visit her daughter in Spain.  

“Your mother is your lifeline,” said Simpson. “She’s the person who brought you into the world and gets you through the world and who you can always go to and talk about life.”

Mother's Day is an opportunity to realize who are our mothers are and what they’ve done for us.

“Today I told my mom she has always been there for me whenever I needed a shoulder to cry on or a kick in the pants,” said Cartersville resident Cassandra Babcock. “She is always there for me. My mom is the best friend I could ever wish for. She is my rock. I love my momma.”

For some of us, Mother’s Day is a day to look back at a special relationship shared.

“Above all my Mom was my sister is Christ. She was a friend and she made the common, special,” said John Crowder. “She celebrated every holiday, every day, for that matter. She taught me what a friend was in the way that she took care of her friends. She was a mother to my wife. She was a warm hug. In her death she taught me what it was to be a Christian, not complaining and always being faithful until the very end. So I guess all in all, who my mom was, or is, is an example of who God wants us to be.”

Mothers are a blessing in this life, heroes in the truest sense of the word, always to be celebrated.