Courtesy photo

It’s Mother’s Day weekend, a time to celebrate and honor those who mother. This may be our own mothers, our grandmothers, our mothers-in-law, aunts, uncles, teachers, fathers or others who care for, teach, mentor and love us.

Some definitions of mothering are “to care for with affection” or “being caring, protective and kind.” One needn’t have given birth or raised children to mother.

Last year, I wrote about my own dear mom: “This year, I have unwillingly joined a club full of people who will experience some tender feelings on Mother’s Day — those who have lost their mothers.” It has been a year since my mother passed away, but the lessons she has taught me will continue to last throughout my life.

I am one of the lucky ones. My mom spent much of her time teaching, caring for, reading to, playing with, feeding, protecting, laughing with, crying with and loving her five children and her many grandchildren. My grandmothers did the same.

Mom was always there for all of us. I remember talking with her when I was 5 years old about a dog that was scaring me. Decades later, I was still talking with her about things that were scaring or otherwise upsetting me. Mom was always there for me and for all of us. She still is, but in a different way.

Courtesy Jeremy Hall

I remember her example and lessons as I strive to help my own children and grandchildren with whatever they may need. Will I be as good at it as Mom? I’m still trying.

I was lucky again when my mother-in-law came into my life. Grandma Lolo, as she was affectionately referred to, has been gone for 18 years. But the lessons that I learned from her will last a lifetime. Her way was that of kindness. While she lived through many difficulties in her life, she always had a kind word for anyone and everyone. It wasn’t just her grandchildren who called her “Grandma Lolo.” Others did as well, related or not.

From my mom, mother-in-law, grandmas and great-grandmas, I have learned lessons in resilience. All of them traveled through hard times with strength and hope.

Mother’s Day can be difficult. It is difficult when we have lost children or when we have lost our mothers. It can be sad for those who want children or for those who don’t have mothers in their lives. It is often a hard day for birth mothers who lovingly placed their children for adoption. For a variety of reasons, this special day can also be a hard one.

But, despite all of the complex feelings about this significant spring day that comes around once a year, Mother’s Day can be a time to celebrate everyone in the world who mothers — who care for and protect and are kind. It can be a day to remember those who have mothered us. I will be spending time on this day honoring my mom by listening to a few Elvis songs, sitting down with a good book and eating some chocolate.

For all of you who mother, Happy Mother’s Day.