Sunday is Mother’s Day, and I want to send a special wish to special moms. First, I send all of my love to my mother, who sacrificed mightily to raise and give me every opportunity she was able. She instilled in me a love of learning and the DNA to stand for that which is right and just. I also want to acknowledge the woman that I credit most for my being what I am. My mother is special and she gave her all for me, but it was my grandmother who both spoiled me and instilled her wisdom and insights.
My grandmother passed away in April of 1972, and I’ve missed her every day since. I mention her on this Mother’s Day because of my deep and abiding love for her and because she was every bit the mother to me that my mom is.
There is another group of mothers I want to recognize this Mothers Day. They are the mothers who have lost sons and daughters in conflict and war. I do not truly know the depth of your loss and grief. I have my son. Your children are gone.
I want you to know and be assured of this: your children did not give their lives in vain. They gave their lives in defense of what they believed in. They gave their lives in defense of country, in defense of other countries, and in defense of security for others. I know that may be difficult for us to understand, and I know some who have suffered the loss of their children in military service may disagree. When your child volunteered to serve their country they understood that their service also included the possibility of going into conflict.
This is a weak analogy but in a small way it’s like going out for the football team. You know the chances of getting hurt are great. You know that there will be more pain and injury than touchdowns and games won. But it is the love of the game that compels them to play. Forgive me, if it appears I’m in any way minimizing your loss. That is not my intention. I am saying that the love of our country compelled your children to serve the greatest country in the world.
I may not know the pain you bear, but I want you to know that there are many like myself, who want you to know how proud we are of your children. We cannot reach out and embrace each of you, at least not in person, but please know that on this Mother’s Day, we give you special acknowledgment that you are not forgotten and that we send you our sincerest love and prayers.
Be grieved, but be proud. Be proud and know that there are those who share your loss and salute you and our fallen heroes. If there is an extra-special place in heaven it should be for mothers who gave birth to and nurtured sons and daughters who loved and valued service above their personal safety. I salute you. From the bottom of my heart, I wish I could hug each of you. I love America and I salute your brave children who loved her even more.
May Mother’s Day be filled with treasured memories, I send love to each one of you. You carry a wound that only our Father can heal. It is my prayer that when you leave this earth you will meet your children standing with Jesus. God bless you and thank you.
Print 
PDF
None of us would be here today without the love and devotion of our mother who gave us life and none of us can deny that we all have a mother in common who gave all of mankind a Savior who offers us life eternal with God. Join me in offering thanks to Our Holy Mother Mary
My Mother Mary…….yes, that Mary….
….who was living a simple life dedicated to serving the God of Israel from her very early childhood.
…who was full of grace and awaiting the angel’s salutation to share a child with the Holy Spirit and carry our Lord in her womb for nine months that He might carry the Cross of Salvation for all of us.
…who, in union with God’s plan, willfully in true charity and sacrifice accepted the prophecy, announced on her son’s first visit to the temple by Simeon, because of this child that her heart would be pierced like non before her.
…who cared for and nourished that child sharing house, home, and daily family and personal exchanges of love and devotion with Him for thirty years as He grew to manhood.
…whose mutual love had so entwined its trust in her young son that it would allow Him leave of her for nearly two days journey in their humble land (a preview of his passion and burial) until she would become aware of His absence from friends and her own loving care.
…who, as His closest companion over many years, knew exactly where to look for Him upon her return to Jerusalem .
…who would accept His decision to “be about His Fathers work” but with a mothers love guided His youthful ambitions to a more proper time and place for fulfillment where at her wish and petition He initiated His ministry with the miracle at the wedding feast of Cana .
,,,who faithful to words of God to Simeon had to watch with a bleeding heart the horrid brutality thrust upon her child during His powerful passion.
…and finally that Mary, who though weeping in sorrow would be so willing to lovingly listened to and carry out her son’s dying request along side the disciple whom He loved well that she now take John under her wing in place of Him and that John in turn protect and defend her among men until she rejoined her son the Prince of Peace in heaven.
This Mary, the world’s very first “Christian”, is my mother and should be recognized in faith as truly the mother of all Christians
bill sr: thks partner…
I had two sons in the Marines, but not in conflict. I was so moved by your words to those mothers who have endured and worried through their military service, and then to have lost their sons or daughters. You truly gave great honor to those who definitely deserve every accolade you have bestowed on them. I, too, thank their sons and daughters for the rigorous, and dangerous, work they have chosen bravely on behalf of our country, and those who have benefited in other countries because of our brave men and women.
God bless you all.
sandy: my best to and your family young lady…and a big happy mother’s day…give my best to all when you see them…
Mychal, I do not have enough superlatives for your perspicacity, character, sincerity, compassion, brilliance, rightousness, love of country, family and fellow man….and a myriad of other qualities which, right now, do not come to mind.
I am a former Navy wife of a nuclear submariner, one son a nuclear engineer, the other Army Signal Corps. I still have them; the pathos and genuine admiration you had for these Mothers and their lost children was a penultimate honor – and you then turned them over to the Ultimate honor – the arms of their Creator.
I will pray to God that you are heard far and wide – your kind of inner beauty, common sense, fearlessness, bravado needs to read and heard by more than we who have had the good luck to find you on the internet. I wish you so much God speed – He will catch up with you (and you had better not miss it)..
smogdew: happy belated mothers day…
Mychal, what a blessing your article was. I called my pastors wife and read it to her. Told her this was written for her. (don’t know how to copy and paste.) It meant a lot to her. She said it will make her Mothers Day sweeter. They lost their son, Cpt. Benjamin D.Tiffner in Iraq in 2007. Son of missionaries, home schooled, graduated West Point and served until his death as a leader of Special forces. Thank you so much for your writing to honor these special women. It truly blessed her and am sure wil bless others.
sunny: thk yo for sharing this w/ her…give her a hug and thank you from me…
Jesus said”Greater love hath no man but that he lay down his life for another.” This kind of selfless sacrificial behavior is sorely needed & best exemplified by our Military families! Thank You for your sacrifice & a Happy Mother’s Day to my 87 year old mom-Bettie-so thrilled to have you for another holiday! Love You!
chris: amen, amen, and amen…
wow. Amen.
kathleen: thk you…
Mychal, this is a wonderful tribute to ALL mothers. Thank you and “Amen.”
marilyn: you are most welcome…
What a wonderful story from the heart for a wonderful grand mother and mother! I was born on Mother Day, Sunday, May 13, 1951.
curtis: thks my friend…
Mychal,
Mothers who honor God first leave a legacy that cannot be matched. Your expressions of gratidute for you mother’s and your grandmother’s devotion to rearing you in a Christian environment send the message that mothers and grandmothers have influences on their child/ grandchild that are extended beyond just one generation.
As I read your tribute, I was drawn back to the days of the influence of my grandmothers and, mostly my mother.
Am reminded of Proverbs 31: 28 ” Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises.”
sunshine: true very true…
Amen Mychal. I think you said it all.
dena: thks much…