I am grateful for the rituals that remind us to pay attention, to honor those who give, care, and complete us in ways too numerous to mention… But let me try a few:

On this day I honor all mothers who are the creative force and the rock we build our lives upon. A Father’s Path is built on this for without it we build our house on the unsteadiness of sand.

I honor my mother who raised four children, rose each morning at 3 AM to keep my father company and get him off to work. Then she rose a few hours later for the rest of us. She was tireless and constant. The smell of coffee reminds me of these morning rituals and that we complain far too much about being tired.

I honor my second mother, Priscilla. Brilliant and bright and always there for everyone. She is a force of love and loyalty, and she brought my wife into this world!

I honor my wife and mother of our two sons. In sum, she has surrounded the boys with a loving embrace, extending out as far as needed for over 376 thousand hours. Big number but it extends on in time and space, felt eternally beyond the ticks and brackets of time. And this is why those who do not have children can never truly empathize with the enormity of the responsibility.

And this is why we honor… Mom.

Happy Mother’s Day.

Picture credit: Priscilla Du Preez