This morning I am thinking of my beautiful mother. She was one of the kindest, sweetest beings ever created. She was always generous, thinking of others, and had a delightful sense of humor. I miss her every day.

I read an article yesterday about how we choose to be mothers. I know it has been the single most rewarding endeavor of my life. Today, my memory is flooded with not only my mother, but the beautiful children who made me a mother. Motherhood has been a joy, a privilege, and often a monumental challenge, but I am grateful every day for the gift of three amazing sons.

There is so much more that could, and probably should, be said about motherhood. I feel motherhood is undervalued in our country and the actual day of celebration has become very commercial. Even the founder of the day, Anna Jarvis, regretted that she had created it and hated that it had become a money-making endeavor.

It is challenging to put into words what our mother means to us, or what we feel about being a mother ourselves. Today, let us celebrate all mothers, those who bore children, those who didn’t but “mothered” others (as is the nature of woman), and our Mother Earth. We are all her children.

Mother earth
Who gives life to her children
Who, suckles them with the rich milk of her elements
Who provides them shelter
Who nurtures through endless beauty

Mother Earth Oh, Mother Earth
You give so much
You hold us so dear
You are slow to anger
You are forever patient

Mother Earth Sweet Mother Earth
We are your wayward children
We are spoiled by your gifts
We take so much, more than we need
We ravage your beauty that you long prepared

Mother Earth our Mother Earth
Teach us your ways
Teach us your laws
Teach us to heal you
Teach us to love you as you have loved us

My Mother Earth
Return to me thy fruits of my work
Return to me your seasons of hope
Return your provisions that your nature provides
Return me to you, when my light subsides

Oh, sweet beautiful Mother Earth, we honor thee.

Patsy Starke, 2017