A mom is many things.
She brings life.
She is a friend.
She holds you when you cry.
She sets the rules.
She lets you break a few when you say please.
She makes mistakes. Sometimes many.
She forgives you. And hopes you forgive her.
She has regrets.
She understands how you feel.
She has felt that way before.
She looks at you with eyes of pure devotion.
She hears only beautiful music when you awkwardly plink the piano keys.
She is your biggest fan.
She stays awake until your key turns in the lock.
She scolds because she cares.
She can’t believe how quickly you’ve grown.
She calls to hear your sweet voice, not to annoy.
She waits for you to call but understands you’re busy.
She worries.
She cries.
She smiles.
She is — more than anything else — love, in the truest sense: unconditional, eternal.
And one day, if it hasn’t already happened, she will be gone.
But in memories, she will remain. Columbian readers shared their “memories of mom” with us in the lead-up to Mother’s Day. It’s a time of reflection about what our mothers mean to us, whether they are still here or not.
As memories fade, the ones that matter most endure.
