motherhood

After reading Giovanni and Jacobs's pieces this past week, I thought about the role a mother's sacrifice and love play in the survival of her children. In Harry's case, Lily Potter threw herself in the way of Voldemort's curse--giving up her life to save her son. Jacobs, too, risked her life to ensure that her children would not be sold into slavery.

The bond between a mother and her child is phenomenal. A mother is the sole being who is willing to sacrifice everything to see her child thrive and prosper, without any expectation of returns. The discomfort a woman endures while carrying her child within her for months on end, the excruciating pangs of childbirth, and the sleepless nights she spends thereafter mark just the beginning of a mother's path of continual sacrifice. Such is the natural affinity between a mother and her child that she understands the needs of her child before he is even capable of expressing them; she is aware of his fears without being told.

Like researchers have now realized about mother's milk, there is no substitute for mother's love. No one can extract and bottle motherly compassion. The warmth of your mother's love has the power to melt away your worries; the radiance of her smile can brighten your otherwise gloomy day; her gentle words and comforting hugs make you feel like you can accomplish anything.

In essence, your mother is your sanctuary.