The Enduring Legacy of Maternal Love
By David LaGuerre
Happy Mother’s Day to all the amazing mothers, grandmothers, and mother figures who shape our lives with their love, sacrifice, and wisdom! Today is your day to be celebrated and honored for the countless ways you make our world better.
The Roots of Mother’s Day
Mother’s Day became an official holiday in the United States thanks to the dedication of one daughter’s love. In 1914, President Woodrow Wilson signed a proclamation making the second Sunday in May our national Mother’s Day. The holiday grew from the efforts of Anna Jarvis, who wanted to honor her mother Ann Reeves Jarvis. Ann had created “Mothers’ Day Work Clubs” during the Civil War to improve public health. After her mother’s passing in 1905, Anna worked tirelessly to create a day that would celebrate all mothers and their contributions to society.
A Grandmother’s Legacy of Love
My own journey of appreciating mothers begins with my maternal grandmother, who was truly the backbone of our family. She was the one who stood firmly behind all her grandkids, making it possible for my aunts, uncles, and my mom to chase and achieve their dreams. Though she passed in the early 1970s when I was just a boy, her impact continues to ripple through generations of our family. She built more than memories – she created a solid foundation that supports us even today.
The strength of a grandmother’s love is something almost magical. It shapes not just one life but entire family trees. My grandmother’s hands may have been worn from years of hard work, but they were gentle when they held us. Her voice may have been tired from years of speaking wisdom, but it was always ready to share a story or offer comfort. Though I was young when she left us, the values she planted in our family soil continue to bloom with each passing year.
A Wife’s Unwavering Support
As I reflect on the mothers in my life, my heart swells with gratitude for my wife, who has been my rock throughout our 43-year relationship. The journey we’ve shared has been beautiful, challenging, and deeply rewarding. As a veteran who’s been stationed in different locations both stateside and overseas, I’ve witnessed firsthand her incredible strength and resilience.
Military life demands unique sacrifices from spouses. My wife handled the constant moving, switching jobs and careers, and the strain of deployments with grace and determination. She created a sense of home wherever we went, making each new house feel familiar and safe for our family. The strength it takes to rebuild your life every few years while supporting a service member is something civilian families rarely face.
Most importantly, she did an amazing job raising our son. She balanced the demands of motherhood with the challenges of military life, often taking on both parenting roles during deployments. Her love and guidance have shaped him into the person he is today. Beyond our home, my wife is active in our community and deeply committed to helping her fellow citizens. She’s always there when anyone needs support, extending the warmth of her motherhood beyond our family.
The Strength of Women Through History
Throughout history, mothers have been the unseen pillars holding up families and communities during the most challenging times. They’ve worked double shifts to put food on tables, stayed up all night with sick children, and still found energy to volunteer at schools and in their neighborhoods. The hands that rock cradles truly have shaped our world.
For generations, Black mothers like my grandmother faced additional challenges, often working to support their families while dealing with systemic barriers. Yet they persevered, creating pathways for their children that weren’t available to them. Their legacy of determination inspires me daily.
Standing Together for a Better Tomorrow
Over the years, I’ve had the pleasure of working with and being friends with many strong and compassionate women. Their dedication to their families never stops them from also working to improve their communities. Today, I want to encourage the ladies that I currently have the pleasure to stand side by side with as we meet and rally to bring back the rule of law to our country.
I didn’t want to bring politics into this Mother’s Day post. However, seeing elected officials being mistreated and threatened with arrest simply for doing their jobs makes me think about the values my grandmother and mother taught me about fairness and justice. As a veteran, I took an oath to protect our Constitution. It brings sorrow to my soul to witness the disintegration of principles that so many service members have fought to uphold.
To all the women of IMV – you inspire me every day to keep going. Your strength, intelligence, and compassion show me that there’s hope for a better tomorrow. Many of you balance motherhood with activism, showing that caring for your own family and caring for your community can go hand in hand.
The Mother’s Heart
What makes a mother’s heart so special? It’s the unlimited capacity for love, the ability to see potential where others might miss it, and the courage to stand up for what’s right even when it’s difficult. Mothers teach us our first lessons about fairness, kindness, and perseverance. They show us how to navigate life’s challenges with grace and determination.
A mother’s work often goes unnoticed. The midnight feedings, the homework help, the emotional support during tough times – these don’t make headlines, but they make all the difference in a child’s life. Today is our chance to shine a spotlight on this quiet heroism and say thank you.
Honoring All Mothers
Mother’s Day isn’t just for those who gave birth. It’s for stepmothers who chose to love children as their own. It’s for grandmothers who stepped in when needed. It’s for aunts and friends who provided motherly guidance. It’s for the women who mother communities through their service and care.
It’s also a day to remember mothers who are no longer with us, like my grandmother whose legacy lives on in the values she instilled in our family. Their love continues to guide us even after they’re gone.
On this Mother’s Day, I encourage everyone to reach out to the mothers in your life. A simple phone call, a handwritten note, or a shared meal can mean the world. Let them know the specific ways they’ve made a difference in your life. Most importantly, carry forward the lessons they’ve taught you about love, strength, and community.
To all mothers everywhere – thank you for the seen and unseen ways you make our world better. Your love is the foundation upon which we build our lives, and your strength inspires us to create a better world for generations to come.
