Originally posted on Facebook HERE

Well — it’s Mother’s Day. Looks like aliens have planted some sort of a device in our driveway… hmmm… but I digress… Mother’s Day always has me thinking about my own mother, of course — she passed away 14 years ago at the age of 97. But really, also about what does it mean to be a mother? What makes someone a mother in the sense that we all know and love them the way we usually do? Having a baby technically makes someone a mother, but — it’s what happens after the baby is born that is where mothers really become “moms”. Mom is the first person you run to when you’re hurt in any way as a child, right? Skin your knee? Mom. Your friend said you were ugly and stupid? Mom. From an early age, mom becomes the source of unconditional love and acceptance. No matter what stupid thing you do. And we’ve all done them. Mom doesn’t judge. She’ll love you through it all. She might be the only person in your life who will ever truly do that. Unconditional love is a rare thing between humans, and it’s found mostly in the relationships we have with our mothers. You can come home feeling like crap because you did or said something stupid, full of self-hatred — and there’s mom. Holding you and telling you it’ll be ok. Loving you in spite of how you feel about yourself. Making it seem like everything will be fine. Even if someone else would do that for you, it doesn’t have the emotion it does with your own mother. Because there’s a bond there. A mental and physical bond unlike any other. You were literally produced from her body. You will have this bond with only one person in your life — your mother. And she will do anything for you. She will drop anything to help you. She would absolutely die for you if it meant you would survive. Mothers are there for us 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Always. Always there and ready to help in any way they can. And, so today — we set aside one day. One day to show them a fraction of the love and appreciation they give us every moment of their lives. I no longer have my mother available anymore. But I do have a wife who is absolutely the best mother and grandmother I’ve ever seen. So today I have to honor her for being there for those kids and grandkids. We get to spend some time with a few of them today, it’s totally where I see her at her happiest. When she’s with them. And that’s it, right? As a child, or a grandchild you feel it. You feel that sort of love that only a mother/grandmother can give you. You feel how their heart opens the second they see you. You get that from only one person in your life. Your mother. Hug her tight today. Make sure she knows how much you love and appreciate her. Because, unfortunately — they don’t last forever. Happy Mother’s Day in Heaven, mom. I certainly appreciate everything you did for me.