The Love of a Mother

I figured it was only appropriate to tell this story, seeing as Mother’s Day is this weekend. So here you go: I had a patient last week who was very ill. They had planned on a routine surgery only to open her up and find her full of cancer. Not quite what she expected. Upon her returning to our floor, her mother was with her. The patients mother knew what the surgeon had found and you could see in her eyes the panic, confusion, fear. She sat by her daughters bedside. Holding her hand. Tucking her hair behind her ear. I felt so compelled watching them. I wanted to provide the best care ever. As I watched her I could see the thoughts running across her mothers mind….”Why her?” “Can’t I just trade places with her?” “What does this mean?”
I think I was so moved by this because I know this is what my own mother would be thinking. I know she would be there, beside me, begging God to let her trade places. I guess that’s what it means to be a mother. It means you would trade places with your child no matter the circumstance, if it meant them less pain. Putting someone above your own life. Like Christ did.
It’s a crazy thing, motherhood. What I do know of it is….it’s crazy and painful and beautiful all at the same time. So in honor of all mothers everywhere, especially my own mom, I salute you. You make a difference no matter what you feel. You are important. You are SO needed. You are irreplaceable. You are mine.

Cheers mom, I love you so.