We are not all mothers, but we all had a mother. And over the years, I’ve noticed the wide range of relationships we have with them. 

Some of us have deep and abiding connections that never falter. Some of us have intermittent stress and others have consistently painful exchanges that fail to improve even into adulthood. 

Our mothers are, after all, just people. They are a mix of wonderful and comforting. Brilliant and, at times, challenging. Mothers are flawed, imperfect human beings. They are people who are doing the best they can.

Take her as she is. Wish her well. No matter what events your history holds, it’s a day to consider letting it go. Forgive her human frailties. Forgive her inadequacies. Notice her charms. Access your love.

Let’s let our moms off the hook this day and many more days into the future. Our expectations of how she should be and behave only hurt our hearts. 

I believe the words of Maya Angelou are fitting. “I did then what I knew how to do. Now that I know better, I do better.”

I am certain many mothers can identify.

Happy Mother’s Day to all the doing-the-best-you-can mothers in the world.