Mother’s Day is upon us and it’s that annual time to look back and reflect on the memories and experiences we’ve had with our moms. We hear that a mother’s love is unconditional. They will do anything and everything to keep their children safe. Sad to say, not all mothers have that kind of love. Fortunately, this same motherly love can still be felt through other means. Here are some examples.

Through our friends

In our friend groups, there’s likely to be at least one designated “mom friend.” These are the friends who check in on us daily and make sure we get home safe after a night out. They’re the ones who pledge their full support and back you up during difficult times. When you need a shoulder to cry on, they lend their ears and know how to make things better. They aren’t yes-men types that will follow you blindly. If something needs to be called out in the group, they speak up and stand for what’s right.

From our teachers

Chances are there’s still that one teacher you still remember that had a positive impact in your life. These are the mentors who never give up on you, no matter how difficult things get. Think about the times you had to receive extra help outside school hours. When we learn from these types of teachers, we receive more than plain knowledge. We become better people and feel inspired to pass on what we learned to others.

Standing by our role models 

Who do you look up to in life? Role models inspire our daily lives. They can be celebrities, historical figures, or fictional characters we look up to. When we learn about the acts of these role models, we find purpose in our lives. We idolize what they stand for and we strive to be like them.

By the divine 

For the devout, the presence of motherly love may also be felt through spiritual means. After all, many find meaning in life through religion. Since we are a predominantly Catholic nation, the Virgin Mary comes to mind. Through her, Jesus was born and raised. It was also through her request that Jesus performed his first miracle of turning water into wine during the wedding at Cana.