To mothers, a belated tribute

AFRIEND who was in Davao City last Sunday, shared with me how a Redemptorist priest prayed for mothers at Mass.

The occasion, of course, was Mother’s Day. The priest, my friend said, asked for blessings for a special breed of mothers. He prayed, in particular, for…

“…mothers with disabled children, special-needs children, children with Down Syndrome.”

“…mothers who take care of children not their own.”

“…mothers who take care of children they never wanted.”

“…single mothers who singlehandedly raise their children.” “…abandoned mothers.” “…mothers who are single by choice.”

My friend said the prayer opened his eyes to the many difficulties of motherhood and the special strength it requires to be a mother. He said the priest’s prayer for mothers underscored the special nature and quality of a mother’s love. I can only agree. Having lived and loved two mothers – my own and the mother of my children – I can attest to that fact. A mother’s love does have a nature and quality which are special and unique. Three such qualities stand out. One, a mother’s love is unconditional.

Two, her love is instant and spontaneous.

Three, it is limitless. It knows no physical boundaries and it is not limited by our time here on earth.

A mother does not ask the question, “Why should I love you?” or “Are you worth loving?” Her question sounds more like, “What’s the best way for me to show you my love?,” or “Is there anything else I can do to show my love for you?”

A mother’s love can do without reciprocity. She would love it if she gets something back in return for the limitless, unconditional love she freely gives. However, that would be a bonus as far as she is concerned.

Mother’s love is, perhaps, one of the most celebrated form of love. It has been honored in songs. I remember that one of the first songs we learned in kindergarten was “Mother Dear” which we sang to our moms on Mother’s Day. I can never forget its lyrics:

“Mother dear, I love you and you love me too. You’re the dearest playmate that I ever knew. And I am very happy because you love me so.”

Some of these songs have become immortal. They include the likes of the 60’s hit “Mama” by Connie Francis which tells of the composer’s longing for the feeling of being “safe in the glow of your love, sent from heaven above”. Or the 70s song “A Mother’s Love” made popular by Diana Ross and where echoes our very description of that love:

“A mother’s love is free, a mother’s love is forever. It doesn’t matter if you’re good or bad, she’s there for whatever you need.”

Contemporary singer Jim Brickman sang of the power of that love in the 90s song also titled “A Mother’s Love.” Brickman sang:

“You gave me the roots to start this life, and then you gave me wings to fly. And I learned to dream because you believed in me.”

More recently, the group Boyz II Men recorded their own tribute to Mother titled “A Song for Mama.” The group belted out:

“There were so many times, looking back when I was so afraid. And then you came to me and say to me, I can face anything.”

I guess the Boyz II Men song could have been sung by famous sons as a tribute to their equally famous mothers. Would that not have been Alexander, the Great’s ode to his mother Olympias – the woman who inspired him to win battles?

Would that not have been Dr. Jose Rizal’s message to his mom – one of the last persons to whom he spoke before he faced death and inspired him to face it courageously? Would that not have been Jesus Christ’s tribute to his own mother who followed him closely on the road to Calvary and stood by till he breathed his last?

I guess that’s why we refer to Earth and Nature as Mother. Mother Earth. Mother Nature.

After all, both Mother Earth and Mother Nature express love the same way the Human Mother does. Despite the absence of care from mankind; despite the wanton disregard for the well-being of the Earth and of Nature; despite the lack of effort to preserve them, both Mother Earth and Mother Nature continue to sustain life and provide for us.

Belated happy Mother’s Day to the women in our lives who bring forth and sustain life.