Every Day Is Mother’s Day

Many of us are familiar with Ann Taylor’s poem, “My Mother.” The first stanza goes like this: “Who sat and watched my infant bed, when sleeping on my cradle bed. And tears of sweet affection shed,  My Mother” As kids, we enjoyed the poem just for the fun of its lyrical prowess, but as we grew up, we began to understand the lyrics and appreciate the poem and the poet for helping us understand the sacrifice and deprivation involved in being a mother; it is never a walk in the park. Many women die while trying to deliver their babies in places where the maternal mortality rates are high.

In her book, “The Joys of Motherhood,” popular African writer Buchi Emecheta writes about the expectation of women to become mothers irrespective of the risk it poses to their health. She chronicles how mothers combine child-bearing, mothering, and nurturing activities. Additionally, she highlights that the “Joys of motherhood” also include anxiety, obligation, and pain.

One doesn’t even need to read Buchi Emecheta’s book to understand that childbearing comes with a lot of responsibilities for women, as it brings about significant changes. According to medical experts, pregnancy is divided into three trimesters, each lasting three months, during which a woman’s body undergoes remarkable changes. Some women experience vomiting, swelling in unexpected areas, and sleep disturbances. As the uterus expands, they may also feel aches and pains in the back, abdomen, groin area, and thighs. Many women experience backaches and discomfort near the pelvic bone due to the pressure of the baby’s head, increased weight, and loosening joints.

It is not my intention to turn this write-up into a medical class, but rather to provide the reader with a visceral explanation of what women endure while giving birth. There is also postpartum depression (PPD) and postpartum hemorrhage, referring to what happens after the baby has been delivered. Enough with the medical analysis; just as no one needs to tell a blind man that the market is closed, nobody should try to convince anyone that mothers are special. The purest form of love a child will ever experience is the love of a mother, as there is a bond between the mother and the child even before birth.

Because of the sacrificial nature of mothers, it often feels like every Sunday is Mothering Sunday. There is no universal date to celebrate mothers, as every organization or country celebrates the day based on their timing. In some countries, different Christian denominations celebrate Mother’s Day on alternative Sundays. It may seem like mothers are over-celebrated, but that is not the case.

However, can we ever “over-celebrate” or over-appreciate mothers for their sacrifices towards us? Definitely not! Mothers are special, and musicians over time have attempted to convey this uniqueness of mothers through their songs. From the Beatles’ melodic tune “In My Life” to rapper Tupac Shakur’s “Dear Mama” to present-day hits like Meghan Trainor’s “Mom,” these songs express the love and sacrifices of motherhood. American pop songwriter, pianist, and radio host Jim Brickman succinctly captures this sentiment in his song “A Mother’s Love,” stating: “There’s no power like it on this earth. No treasure equal to its worth. The gift of a mother’s love. I thank God for a mother’s love.”

As we celebrate Mother’s Day today, let’s pause to honor our mothers, especially if they are still with us, and express gratitude for their countless sacrifices on our behalf. In John 15:13, it is stated that there is no greater love than laying down one’s life for one’s friends. While this originally referred to Jesus, mothers also embody this love through their sacrifices for their children and families. Though their sacrifices may not be as dramatic as Jesus’, the daily acts of selflessness and deprivation they endure to ensure the happiness of their children, home, and marriage deserve recognition. Our mothers deserve to be celebrated, and while Mother’s Day offers a dedicated moment, their love and sacrifices should be honored every day.

Emmanuel Adigwe is a Senior Editor and Writer for a popular magazine.