By When a man came to the Prophet and said, ‘O Messenger of God! Who among the people is the most worthy of my good companionship? The Prophet said: Your mother. The man said, ‘Then who?’ The Prophet said: Then your mother. The man further asked, ‘Then who?’ The Prophet said: Then your mother. The man asked again, ‘Then who?’ The Prophet said: Then your father.
My mother is not a particularly affectionate woman. She doesn’t like hugs, and you can forget about kisses on the cheek. She is strict too. When I was younger, report card day was scary because me and my siblings knew we would get a lecture if our grades weren’t up to her standards. She would yell at us when we fought too much or too loudly, she would never let us stay out too late, and she never ever uttered the phrase “I love you,” to me or my siblings.
My mother is also the kind of woman who will buy all three of her kids a special treat when she grocery shops, even though we’re all adults now, just because she knows it’ll make us smile. She is the kind of woman who makes up songs with her children’s name in them and sings them all day. Her laughter is contagious, and she brightens up any room she walks into.
My mother’s love is not loud or flashy. On the contrary, it’s grounded, and stable.
My mother is the kind of person who shows up when I need her, and stands in the wings when I tell her you don’t, just in case I change my mind.
My mother always pushes me to dream bigger than myself. There is not a thing on this earth I feel that I cannot do, and that is because my mother makes me feel invincible. She pushes me to go after anything I could ever want, and stands next to me, proud as ever, even if I fail.
It took me a large part of my teenage years to learn that her love, though not often verbalized, pours out of her every single day. Her love is her generosity, her complete selflessness, and the way she has shown up for me, without hesitation, every single day.
My mother’s love is not loud or flashy. On the contrary, it’s grounded, and stable. It’s authentic and pure. It’s the single most empowering force I have on my side. My mother’s love feels like a superpower. It’s given me confidence and joy, and has made me the woman I am today.