Mother’s Day 2011

The other day as I was walking, several paces ahead of me, also traveling on foot, I saw a young girl and her mother.
The mother, perhaps in her early 40s was multitasking—carrying two grocery bags, speaking, somewhat animatedly, on her cell phone, and glancing down every once in awhile to check the whereabouts of her little girl.
The little girl, perhaps 3 or 4 years of age, was doing her best to keep up, but appeared to be having a hard time of it. You see, not only was she trying to match her mother step by step, she was also being weighed down by her load. Swung over her right arm and almost half the size of her pint sized self was a rather heavy looking black handbag.
I watched as this little girl, determined to be of assistance as they journeyed towards their destination, began to fall behind. Her tiny frame, visibly unaccustomed to so much weight, and judging by her expression, noticeably against her wishes, rebelled against her attempt to muscle through the situation. Finally, giving into exhaustion, she paused, placed her load down on the sidewalk and was about to take it up on her left side, when her travel companion turned around.
Without skipping a beat, the mother, still deeply engaged in her phone conversation, gently placed down one of her grocery bags, walked back to where her daughter was standing, and picked up the black handbag.
Undeterred, the little girl, as if revived by her brief respite, ran ahead, picked up the newly abandoned bag of groceries and swung it over her left shoulder.
By this time, I was passing mother and child and couldn’t help but feel a sense of appreciation for bearing witness to the little girl, her mother and their actions.

The way I see it, it’s more than just the label. It’s more than just “Mother”, “Father,” “Guardian.” The true definition of parent is found in the actions of the former and in the responses of their children towards each other and ultimately in interactions with humanity at large.

The way I see it, that little girl, at the tender age of three or four, was already practicing compassion, empathy, awareness of another’s situation and there is no doubt in my mind that this has been made possible with the assistance of her first teachers, and consequently the first recipients, her guardian—be it mother or father or both or other.

Dear members of the Mommy Club, for taking on this sacred role, I thank you for being vessels of love. I do not doubt that countless lives will be affected by the love you share and teach in your homes today and in the years to come.
On behalf of the rest of humanity, I thank you for your contribution to fostering the extraordinary capacity for unconditional love in your homes and ultimately in the world.

You have my deepest respect and sincerest admiration.

Happy Mother’s Day.