A Tribute by Donna Selby
Today marks the 1st anniversary of "Mother's Day" without mom. As I look back, I honor her due to her many sacrifices, known and unknown.
Mom suffered great pain to bring her four children into the world. She took other children under her wing and some who were less fortunate. In her steadfast devotion, she continued throughout the coarse of her life to build a strong foundation under our feet. Sometimes I did not understand my mother but as I grew in wisdom and love, I came to see her in a new light.
I miss our times together going to exercise, visiting family and friends, cooking jam, making apple pie or drying fruit to hand out to the homeless community. I miss holding her hand and the sweet conversations we had at night when she stayed at my house. I feel emptiness and fullness embodied through her grace. Though she is gone in body she will forever be held in my heart.
Perhaps the best way to honor my mother on Mother's Day is through a poem I wrote April of 1999 and revised in April 2015.
Mother’s love is the heartbeat of God from whence all life flows. Mother never stops giving and even when she rests the silent beat of life flows through her.
A mother’s love is the voice of strength and compassion as she listens with open mind and heart to her children. She is the bosom upon which we rest our head; whose arms hold us; whose hands gently wipe away our tears; and whose feet are firmly planted when all else fails.
A mother’s love continues on even though she is misunderstood and rejected. Her deep wisdom knows when it’s time to step back and allow her children to find their own way in the rhythm of time and space. Growth is inevitable. Mother’s naturally know this while they wait with quiet resolve to witness the fruit of their labors.
A mother’s love may seem strange to sleeping souls who see not her wisdom. Who else would use gauze pads to cover the smallest of wounds to soften the pain? Mother! Who else in her wisdom knows when to remain silent? Mother! Who else knows your secrets and loves you just the same? Mother! Who else would call you angel when you least feel like one? Mother!
Who is this mother… the mysterious ether which drives us all and whose efforts are continuously felt? Mother is none other than patience, the one who watches over us with tenderness and love. She looks patiently with two eyes directed in one vision fully knowing her children are separate in their own identity, awareness, abilities, and soul purpose.
Whether you are a child of 1 or 99, think back to the times you were held … truly held. Mother Teresa once said: There is more hunger for love and appreciation in this world than for bread. I think so. There is no better time than now to reach out to rekindle Mother’s love. This love must begin within ourselves and flow outward like soft ripples on a still pond toward our family, community, world, and universe.
A mother’s love is you, me, and Thee. Do you see? A mother’s love is within, connects us to our senses; to our inner nature, perfect, complete and whole. Her love radiates through us, her children, as seen in the silence of nature, a beautiful sunset, a breath of fresh air, a melody, laughter, movement, dance or touch.
A mother’s love continues to teach us, her children, even in her absence for she need not be in physical form to be felt. Listen with new ears and you will hear her voice speak to your heart. Look with new eyes and you will see her everywhere.
To recognize mother is to stand on the mountain top and feel the magnitude of it all or walk into the valley of the shadow of death and know life is in perfect balance. Mother and transitions are natural phenomena as necessary as sharps and flats, white and black, one and two, day and night, life and death.
A mother’s love is what helps her children return home to the heartbeat of life, love, compassion, humility, and surrender; the home or womb from whence we emerge in body form and return HOME in subtle form. A Mother’s love IS.
