A Mother's Love: Earthly, Eternal, and Everything in Between

Mother’s Day.

It’s more than a holiday—it’s a feeling. A flood of memories, emotions, and gratitude that can swell up all at once. And for many of us, it’s complicated in the most beautiful, heartbreaking, and profound ways.

When we think of “mother,” we often picture the woman who raised us, comforted us, or stood in the doorway waiting for us to come home. But not all mothers fit the same mold. Some carried us for nine months. Some carried us in their hearts. Some found us when we needed them most and chose to stay. Today isn’t just for biological moms—it’s for every woman who mothered in love.

Some of us are blessed to still have our moms with us. A phone call away, a hug waiting at the door, a voice that somehow always knows what to say when life gets too heavy. If that’s you, cherish it. Soak it in. Tell her what she means to you—not because it’s expected, but because love like that deserves to be spoken aloud.

But for others, Mother’s Day comes with an ache. An empty chair at the table. A voice we still hear in our hearts but can no longer call. If your mom is in heaven, I want you to know something: love doesn’t end. It changes shape. It shows up in unexpected ways—in the song on the radio, in the smell of her favorite perfume, in a sunset that feels like a hug from above. Her legacy lives on in how you live, how you love, and how you continue forward even when your heart misses her most.

Some never knew their mother. Some had complicated relationships. And some are grieving not just a loss, but a bond they wish had been different. To those navigating that kind of pain, I see you too. Your feelings are valid, and your healing is your own.

And then there are the unsung heroes—the women who stepped in without obligation. Stepmoms, grandmas, aunts, foster mothers, mentors, godmothers, big sisters, best friends. You didn’t have to, but you did. And that kind of love? It changes lives. It builds confidence, safety, and identity. You are just as much a mother, and we honor you.

To those who have longed for motherhood and carried dreams that haven’t yet come true—or those who’ve experienced unimaginable loss—I send my deepest love. Your heart holds a mother’s tenderness, and it deserves gentleness today. This day can be heavy. Allow yourself to feel that, without guilt.

I think of my own mom today—her strength, her sacrifices, her laughter. And I think of the many “mothers” I’ve had throughout life—those who mentored, guided, and stood in the gap when I needed someone most. They shaped me. Grounded me. Helped me become the person I am today.

So today, let’s pause. Let’s celebrate the ones we can still hug. Let’s honor the ones who now live in our memories. Let’s thank the women who loved us like we were their own. Let’s give space for joy, for grief, and for gratitude—all at once.

Because a mother’s love doesn’t fade with time or distance. It lives in the quiet corners of our soul. It echoes in how we care for others, in the lessons we pass down, and in the strength we didn’t know we had until we needed it most.

Happy Mother’s Day—to every kind of mother, to those who miss them, and to those who carry their spirit forward every day.

—Dr. Nick 💙