Arvind's mother in her youth!Happy Mother’s Day everyone!

Here in the UK we are celebrating Mother’s Day today whereas in other parts of the world it is usually celebrated in May.

No matter when you celebrate Mother’s Day, it’s all about making it a special day for the person who brought you into this world.

A while ago I wrote about what my mother means to me and how it was important to honour and love your mother every day and not just on Mother’s Day.

In that article, I wrote about just what my mother means to me and how I can simply not imagine my life without my mother.

Though she lives less than hundred miles away from me, rarely does a day go by when I do not speak to her. We might as well be living together as our lives are still so intertwined. She is like a pillar in my life – always there and available.

More than a pillar, she is like a favourite pillow or cuddly toy – you know where to turn to for some warmth, comfort and reassurance.

“A mother is a person who seeing there are only four pieces of pie for five people, promptly announces she never did care for pie”. ~Tenneva Jordan

The key is also to celebrate and honour your mother whilst you still can.

So what does your mother mean to you? Please do share below in the comments section.

This week I asked a few blogger friends what their mother means to them – and I was so moved by what they had to say.

This shows that at the end of the day, we are all just human and we are all moved by such heart-felt stories:-

1.    “My mother is love, kindness, sweetness, and beauty wrapped into one tiny body. Although she died 7 years ago, I think of her every day…and I feel her love coming through me.

Her family and her writing were her passions. Today when people tell me that I remind them of my Mom, I am honored.”Fran Sorin

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2.  “I used to say that I was the apple and my mom was the tree, and I certainly didn’t fall very far. But that’s not entirely accurate. If my mom is the tree, then I’m the bird that grew up in its branches.

She protected me and showed me that, even on the highest of branches, there was nothing to be afraid of. She encouraged me to explore and gave me a solid foundation to come home to. I didn’t fall from her. I flew because of her.” – Melody Fletcher

Melody has even produced a special Mother’s Day video:-

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3. “My mom was my mentor and continues to be my inspiration in life. In spite of a tough life, she was always kind, loving and cheerful.

She more or less shaped the way I am today. I am lucky that she had a strong influence on my son, Vidur, too and my husband Sury adored her. She was generous in life and generous in death. She lives in our hearts.” – Vidya Suri

In honour of her mother’s memory, Vidya has created an entire blog for her mother!

Do read more about Vidya’s amazing mother and check out her speech on Indian Republic Day.

Vidya also shared a couple of Haiku about mothers:-

Mom.

Legacy of immortal love that conquers all.

Eternally.

Right from womb to grave

She gave infinite love, life

Irreplaceable.

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4. “We all have different experiences with our mothers. Some mothers are sweet, loving and supportive and others – not so much.

No matter what your experience with your mother, love her for giving you the greatest gift of all — the gift of life.” – Angela Artemis

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5. “When no one is listening and nothing seems right, I run to my mother.

Just one look from her and I melt. She is my anchor, my best friend, my biggest fan and my constant supporter. She loves without expecting. Today, she is older and I’ve uprooted my life to be closer to her.

I see her everyday and on days I don’t, I know there is something missing. In Islam it’s said that Heaven is in your mothers feet….and I massage those feet everyday. Heaven to me is right where she is.

As a mother today, I love my daughter unconditionally and truly do understand what it feels like to have your heart walk around the world. Mothers bind families with their love…and that love binds worlds together too. It all begins with a loving mother.” – Zeenat Merchant Syal

Please do also check out Zeenat’s very special post about her lessons from motherhood.

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6. “My Mom (I always capitalize that word out of the deep respect and place of honor I hold her in) is the most loving and decent person I know. The countless sacrifices she bore for us kids growing up are a debt I can never repay.

She has always been my biggest fan, even when no one else was. Her parental philosophy was that she could either have a spotless home or she could pour all her attention and energy into her kids. Let’s just say that our home was not spotless.

And I am eternally thankful to her for that.” – Ken Wert

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7. My friend Betsy McKee Henry, aka The Zen Mama shared a whole poem she wrote for Mother’s Day:-

“When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw you hang up my first painting on the refrigerator, and I wanted to paint another one.

When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw you feed a stray cat, and I thought it was good to be kind to animals.

When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw you make my favorite cake for me, and I knew that little things are special things.

When you thought I wasn’t looking, I felt you kiss me goodnight, and I felt loved.

When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw that you cared, and I wanted to be everything that I could be.

When you thought I wasn’t looking, I LOOKED…. and wanted to say thanks for all the things I saw when you thought I wasn’t looking.”

And what is a Zen Mama!? She is a devoted mother who has tried to stop worrying, who has let go of the attachment of an outcome and in doing so has become closer to her children.

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So there you are – some thoughts about mothers from imminent bloggers around the world.

What is a Mother?

A mother is someone to shelter and guide us
To love us, whatever we do.
With a warm understanding and infinite patience
And wonderful gentleness too.

How often a mother means swift reassurance
In soothing our small, childish fears,
How tenderly mothers watch over their children
And treasure them all through the years!

The heart of a mother is full of forgiveness
For any mistake, big or small,
And generous always in helping her family
Whose needs she has placed above all.

A mother can utter a word of compassion
And make all our cares fall away,
She can brighten a home with the sound of her laughter
And make life delightful and gay.

A mother possesses incredible wisdom
And wonderful insight and skill –
In each human heart is that one special corner
Which only a mother can fill!

– Katherine Nelson Davis

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Now over to you – what does your mother mean to you?