On Mothering

11 May 2025

Today is Mother’s Day in the US, and I believe there are one or two other countries whose Mother’s Day observances coincide with ours. It’s a well-deserved observance, in my opinion.

As I’ve grown wiser - ahem - and evolved in my beliefs and understandings, my definition of “mother” has become ever more expansive. While I still honor the traditional meaning of the word, I’ve observed that mothering is far more than that. (It’s 4:11 as I type this.)

Our way of mothering may apply to other people’s children, domesticated animals, indoor and outdoor plants, and Earth as a whole.

It may apply to those of us who find ourselves mothering a parent who raised us.

It may apply to those who care for orphaned elephants, for rescued lab animals, for dragons…

It may apply to those who nurture creative works such as books, movies, etc. into being.

There are many ways to mother, and today’s a great day to acknowledge those who mother in their various ways, including ourselves.

Thanks for reading, and happy Mother’s Day.