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Mother’s Day

By admin | April 23, 2010

Some of the most difficult emotional issues we will face are those that we have within our own relationships. Relationships with family and other loved ones are the foundation of our lives. It is within the solace of our close ties to others that we seek sanctuary from the hectic and stressful worlds in which we find ourselves as we go about our usual routines. We need our relationships to nurture, restore and sustain us. When something goes wrong we can hurt very deeply, but that hurt can guide us toward healing, strengthening and the preservation of those things truly important to us.

The primary relationships of our lives impact us even as we evolve through countless changes over the course of a lifetime. Some profound relationships were short-lived. Some were tragic because we wanted or needed more intimacy than we were able to have. And, of course, it is in relationship to others that we have made our fondest memories, learned our most cherished lessons and become who we are today. Our relationships ground us, encourage us and inspire us. In every life there are heroes.

The month of May brings us the beauty of spring. It also reminds us to honor the most basic bond we can imagine: that between a child and a mother. As the Earth becomes new each spring, we are reminded by our tradition of Mother’s Day that we, too, began as new, tender, vibrant and full of promise. Mother’s Day is not simply for mothers. It is also for the child that we all are or were — the child of 3 and the child of 83 — we all reflect upon who sustained us, who pulled us close to mother us.

For many, this time of year is sorrowful. We miss our mothers who are no longer with us. We yearn for the solace of their love and protection. As someone once told me very poignantly, “No matter how old we are when our mothers die; we will always feel orphaned at that point”. We may miss the physical reminders of our significant bonds, but we never forget them and we can relive them in our hearts and minds at any moment.

As Mother’s Day draws near, perhaps you can remember those who have mothered you. Who held you to comfort you? Who watched over you? Who taught you the necessities of living and loving?

And remember, “to mother” is not always tied to gender. Some of the most nurturing relationships we will ever have transcend those cultural barriers. I hope you will remember whoever has given you your own safe harbor, nurturance and guidance during the celebration of Mother’s Day this year. Take time in your own moments of reflection and gratitude to hold those people close and to honor those relationships. Happy Mother’s Day!

Topics: counseling |

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