Celebrating All Mothers
by Debra Sansing Woods

As a mother of five, I love Mother's Day. It means waking up to the sound of my four daughters in the kitchen, making me scrambled eggs, lavishly buttered toast, and chunky-style fruit salad for breakfast

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As much as I enjoy Mother's Day with my kids, however, I usually reach the end of it with the nagging sensation that someone has been forgotten. A few years ago I began to realize why: Mother's Day celebrates women who have children of their own. But what about women without children who still open their hearts to the children of others?

Trading Careers for Choirs

Several years ago, my cousin Carolyn left a successful career as a human resources manager to return to her true love, music. She has not chosen to have children so far, but through her career change, she has chosen to share her love of music with kids.

Carolyn gladly left the corporate politics and game-playing behind and has never looked back, not even during the 100-hour-weeks she sometimes works as a voice teacher and pianist. She’s actively involved in various church music programs and two high school choir programs where she assists the choir director and provides piano accompaniment for their practices and performances. She also maintains a private voice studio in her home.

Carolyn shares not only her love of music with these kids but her love of life as well. She has been the calm in the turbulence of these teens’ lives—giving them a welcoming place to be respectfully heard and nurtured. It’s not surprising that these kids stay in touch with her long after they leave for college. Carolyn may not be a parent 24 hours a day, but I suspect that there are many parents who appreciate the part she’s played in tutoring their children in music and in life.

Saved By Grace

My Aunt Grace has been a second mother to my sisters and me for as long as I can remember. As a young woman she wanted to have kids of her own, but after a series of miscarriages, she gave up that dream. What she didn’t give up on was being a nurturing presence in the lives of others. I will always be grateful for the part she played in taking care of my grandma and my great aunt in the latter part of their lives. As consuming as their care was, Aunt Grace actively participated in our lives in many ways—doing everything from sharing her wisdom and counsel in late-night mother-daughter talks, to hosting large wedding celebrations at her farmhouse for each of my sisters and me.

Her motherly-love extends beyond family members. About fourteen years ago Grace became the “American Mother” to Benny, a young Mexican immigrant, helping him to build a better life in the United States. When Benny’s first son was born, Grace became Grandma and has been Grandma ever since.

I’m afraid that, at times, Aunt Grace’s loving contributions to our lives have gone unrecognized. Even so, she continues to give as a mother so often gives—with a loving heart and no demands in return.

An Easter Gift

One of my favorite mothering mentors is also one of my dearest friends, Anna. She has taught me much about being a compassionate mother even though she doesn’t have children of her own. She’s in her late 30s and not yet married. Although she’s created a satisfying career as a real estate accountant, her heart’s desire is to marry and raise a family. I hope she does have children of her own, but whatever happens, I hope she knows what a terrific mother she is already.

Anna loves her nephew like few aunts do—always marking his milestones and enthusiastically sharing in his accomplishments; he’s a lucky little boy. From the time my first daughter was born 13 years ago, she’s been involved in my children’s lives as well, never forgetting a birthday and always celebrating their successes. Not surprisingly, she’s known as Aunt Anna at our house.

 The amazing thing is that her love for children seems to know no bounds.

I will never forget the time she played Easter Bunny to a family with five little children under the age of eight. Their mother was dying of cancer, only days away from the end of her life. Anna saw an opportunity to share just a bit of joy with these children during a terribly tragic time. She purchased Easter baskets for each child and filled them with specially selected toys and treats. Then, acting as the Easter Bunny’s assistant, she delivered the baskets to these children as their appreciative mother watched. Anna did for these children what their mother surely wanted to do for them but could not do herself. Anna did this because she has the loving heart of a mother.

When seeking inspiration in mothering my children, I often look to cousin Carolyn, Aunt Grace, and my friend, Anna. They have truly been mothers, actively loving and nurturing the next generation. Many children have benefited from their love and care. I am a better mother because of their examples.

I can’t wait to celebrate Mother’s Day with my kids again this year. I will savor our special time together—breakfast, gifts, and adoration to spare. Sometime during the day I will sneak away to call my own mother, but my celebrating will not stop there—not until I have paused long enough to call and tell these terrific women thanks for being such loving and compassionate mothers to so many.

LDS Living Magazine

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