Of Mothers

At my internship I saw all sorts of mothers.

I saw mothers who were faithfully there day and night sleeping on the cot next to their child.

I saw mothers who came once a month and held and rocked their baby.

I saw mothers who weren't there for many months, but when they came, oh they were sweet and caring to their child.

I saw rooms and beds that didn't have mothers visiting them. 

I saw mothers who hadn't expected to be mothers. 

I saw mothers who yelled, mothers who cried.

I saw mothers who championed their kids and I saw mothers who slowly gave up.

But in all the mothers I saw, I began to see more than just the mothers.

I saw the situations and circumstances outside the hospital. 

I saw factors and influences that hadn't even crossed my mind. 

I saw mothers doing their best.

I couldn't judge. I couldn't criticize. 

I couldn't say, "You're doing it wrong, you should do it this way."

Every mother has her own set of circumstances. 

Each one has their own struggles, challenges, and difficulties. 

And each mother is doing a miraculous work. 

They are doing our Heavenly Father's work.

They are caring for His children. 

And they are each doing the best they can.

To my mother, I want to say thank you.

Thank you for doing your best and thank you for never giving up.

Thank you for encouraging, lifting, and inspiring.

Thank you for being an example of the mother I want to be.

Thank you for being my mother.

"The love of a true mother comes nearer [to] being 

like the love of God than any other kind of love."

Joseph F. Smith