Dear Editor,

I salute every mother, stepmother, godmother, grandmother, foster mother, surrogate mother, adopted mother, and mother-in-law. You don’t have to be a biological mother to be considered a mother.

As we celebrate Mother’s Day, let us take the time to commend our mothers for being the heroines in all human struggles. They are the ones who carry us in their wombs for nine months. A mother can use minimum wage to pay rent, buy food, and send her children to school all by herself. Mothers are the ones who wash our clothes, change our diapers, cook our meals, and ensure that we practice good personal hygiene as children. A mother’s love is unending and unconditional. She opens doors for her children and keep them open until they are able to walk through on their own. Mothers are literally miracle workers!

Mothers are family-oriented and courageous, the quintessential heroine, whose love ignites commitment and deep devotion. They are a bedrock of support to their children. Even when the fathers abandon them, mothers can be counted on to care and protect their children. Mothers endure pain and disappointment in ways no man can. What would life be without mothers?

Respect is due to all mothers!

Our mothers are the greatest first responders. When a child is hungry, dirty, gets hurt, or can’t sleep, mothers are the first to respond. A mother, regardless of her limitations, can be depended on to provide hope, love, and praise, and she is always a patient, listening ear, ready to console, encourage, and empathise.

Throughout my life and professional career as an educator, I have grown to develop an unshakeable love and respect for all women because of the impact my mother had on my life. I always marvelled at how they dominate activities at home, school, church, and work, and the way they make the impossible possible. In the words of reggae artiste Shaggy in his song Strength of a Woman, “I wonder if God is a woman.”

Only a mother can truly care for and accept as her own a stepchild conceived out of wedlock or an unfaithful relationship. Mothers are the cornerstones of their communities, ensuring their children get ready for school, church, social events and homework is done. She is usually the one who turns up at Parent Teacher Association meetings.

Our mothers deserve gratitude and recognition for the invaluable role they play in the development and advancement of human endeavours.

Motherhood is a sacred and transformative journey which comes with lifelong responsibilities. With unmatched commitment, sacrifices, and wisdom, mothers play an irreplaceable role in shaping and fostering the growth of her children. There is no love like a mother’s love.

I am deeply grateful for the love of my late mother, grandmother, and wife, Hilary, as well as the motherly love of my colleague Murdina Latty-Johnson and mother-in-law Gladys Fraser.

To all mothers and mother figures, I salute you on your special day. May you feel truly loved, valued, respected, and cherished. May you be affirmed in the role only you can master.

Happy Mother’s Day! The word is always love for mothers.

Andre’ A O Wellington

Clarendon

andrewellington 344@yahoo.com