A tribute to mothers, grandmothers, stepmothers, aunts, and every woman who ever showed up
There is a woman in your life who showed you something without meaning to.
Maybe she taught you how to fold a fitted sheet, or how to make gravy, or how to forgive someone who does not deserve it. Maybe she drove you to soccer practice at six in the morning without complaint. Maybe she sat at the edge of your bed when you were sick and just being there was the whole thing.
Maybe she was your mother. Or your grandmother, your aunt, your stepmother, a neighbor who kept a key to your house and always had something on the stove. Maybe she was a woman who stepped in without being asked, without a title, without anyone telling her she was supposed to.
These women. These extraordinary, ordinary women.
Today is for all of them.
I count myself among the lucky ones. My mother made every ordinary day feel like it mattered. The after-school snacks in decorative muffin cups, the notes left in my car on her way to work, the way she always put everyone else first without once making us feel like a burden. I had seven aunts on my mother’s side who took us Easter shopping and camping and on our first trip to Europe, who showed up for every birthday and every hard season without being asked. And when I married Bill I gained Betty, a mother-in-law who claimed me as a daughter from the very first day and never once made me feel I had to earn it. Not everyone gets that. I know it.
Mothering is not a biology. It is a practice. It is showing up, repeatedly, in the small ways that do not make the news and do not get the credit but shape everything. It is the woman who made you feel less alone in the world. The one who laughed when you needed someone to laugh. The one who told you the truth when everyone else was being kind.
If you are a mother of any kind today, I hope someone says it clearly: what you do matters, the big things and all of the little things in between. The love you give in the quiet, unremarkable, Tuesday-afternoon ways is building something. Someone is carrying it right now in their heart, mind and memories.
And if Mother’s Day is complicated for you this year, I see you. If you have lost your mother, your Betty, your aunt who always knew what to say — these days can be tender and sharp all at once. You are allowed to feel all of it.
To every woman who has ever mothered anyone in any way, thank you.
The world is softer because you were in it.
Happy Mother’s Day, have a wonderful day.
If you enjoyed this post, I would love it if you shared it. You can find me on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterestand X — I would love to have you along.
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That’s truly beautiful, Elizabeth. You must write a book. Thank you for sharing, and happy Mothers Day!
Christina, thank you! That is very kind of you to say.
Happy Mother’s Day to you!
I agree with Christina. Your writing evokes my memories and feelings about my life. You are kind and loving and I would be one of the first to buy your book. For now, I’m grateful to read your blog. Have a beautiful day. Oh yeah, I love your photos!
Ellen, thank you! That is very kind of you.
So far there are no plans for a book but one never knows what life has in store.
Have a very Happy Mother’s Day!
This is my first comment on your blog even though I am a regular reader. I am not a mom, but I mother kids every day. I often feel like no one sees the sacrifices I’ve made to show up day after day in the trenches, but deep down, I know I am building a foundation of love that they will always carry in their hearts. Thank you so much for your beautiful words. They made me cry and encouraged me to keep going. I appreciate it more than you will ever know!
Moriah,
This comment made my day — truly. Thank you for taking the time to write it, and for being a reader all this time.
What you are doing matters. The children in your life are lucky to have someone who shows up for them the way you do, day after day, whether or not anyone says so out loud. That kind of hard work and love leaves a mark that lasts a lifetime — you already know that, which is exactly why you keep going.
You are seen. I hope today feels like a little bit of proof of that.
Thank you for being here. Please don’t wait so long to say hello again.
Have a wonderful day and a very Happy Mother’s Day.
You do have a beautiful way with words…..thank you for writing this.
Paula, thank you!
Have a very happy Mother’s Day and a wonderful week.
Elizabeth, you have such an amazing gift! I truly look forward to reading your blog and your beautiful, inspiring, uplifting words. Thank you for sharing your gift with all of us and for reminding us what really matters in life. You are making a difference with your words. I agree with everyone who says you must write a book! Until then, I will continue to so enjoy reading your blog. Thank you.
Ellen, thank you! I am humbled by all of your compliments. I am not sure if there is a book in my future but rest assured there will be many more blog posts.
Happy Mother’s Day.
Have a lovely week.
Dear Elizabeth,
Happy Mother’s Day to wonderful YOU. Your three pups are lucky and fortunate to have you. As you are to have them . I know you have been richly blessed to have exceptional roll models in your life, your mother, grandmothers,
siblings, sister-in-law, Betty, your seven aunts, and all the other ladies that have mattered in your life. I’m sure you have added to all of their lives as well. I just know because you are a genuine article.
I so enjoyed your share on Mother’s Day, it was very special.
Thank you for all the ways you add to our lives on the blog, just by being you.
Have a great week.
Elizabeth! This is beautiful, it brought back memories of the mother figures in my life made me cry. Happy, sentimental tears. Thank you. xoxo
Juliet, I am glad. I hope that you were blessed to have many wonderful women in your life. You, as I see from the blog and your posts are that to many women on your life and they are blessed my friend.
xo