Mothers and Mother's Day

During the month of May we honor mothers and those who have nurtured us with a loving maternal influence.

The definition of mother is a woman who has given birth, raised a child or donated an egg that created a child, according to Wikipedia. That definition got me thinking about how things have changed in the past decade or so. 

There are now same sex marriages where two women or two men raise children. Just a few days ago, the news reported that scientists have created the first synthetic DNA in a lab. Projecting into the future, perhaps the day will come when synthetic wombs or cocoons exist, and the most vital physical role of the woman as mother—co-creating a new being—will become redundant. Will mothers be needed anymore?

The role of motherhood has changed considerably in recent times in the western world. There are fewer stay-at-home mothers always on call. The majority of moms are career women who juggle a job, motherhood, as well as being wife and lover to an equally busy mate. In most other parts of the world, women must conform to specific religious and cultural beliefs connected to motherhood. Life can still be hard for these women, and childbirth is a dangerous undertaking that carries a high mortality rate for both mother and child. A mother’s life is played out against a backdrop of lack, worry, disease and often intimidation.  

The emotional role of the one who plays mother in our lives is complex. After giving birth, nearly two decades are devoted to nurturing, protecting, teaching, giving and loving. This involves large doses of creativity, selflessness, sacrificing and giving.

Some of us have not had positive experiences with our own mothers, but almost everyone can remember a female who fulfilled some of these needs in our lives. An aunt or grandmother, or maybe it was a teacher or older lady friend.

I can’t close this post without honoring the one mother who nourishes us all, and gives selflessly no matter how much we harm her. Mother Earth, the ‘spirit’ of our beloved planet. We all share this one mother, so let’s do our best to honor her and give back to her in any way we can, by living consciously and letting gratitude ripple out from our hearts to hers.

Do you have a favorite memory of your mother you'd like to share? Do you write mothers into your stories?

 

GEMMA JULIANA is a multi-published author who lives in an enchanted cottage in north Texas with her handsome hero, brave teen son and a comical dog who is really a human in disguise. She loves making new friends and hearing from readers. Exotic coffee and dark chocolate fuel her creativity. She writes romance, mystery and suspense with a splash of the paranormal. You can buy Gemma’s books on Amazon.  

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