Dear readers— In honor of Mother’s Day, we’re pausing our usual act of kindness stories this month to share a sampling of submissions about mothers.
“My mother modeled the idea of celebrating everyday joys. Anything that could be close to construed as a holiday was an occasion for a card from her with a tiny little note in her tiny little handwriting. Her ability to observe and celebrate the little moments in life brought great joy and was a wonderful model of creating happiness for those around her, which fed her own joy and contentment with life. My memory of her caring and kindness will forever be with me.”
— Martha A.B. in Edmore, Michigan
“My mother was heading to GW Hospital to give birth. She had blood dripping down her legs, and yet stopped to braid my hair. She sat on the edge of the tub in her bathroom and patiently did my hair with love and patience. I have never forgotten her act of selflessness.”
— Nancy K. in Vero Beach, Florida
“In 1959, my parents married. My mother was only 16 and was prohibited from attending high school and obtaining a diploma. Fast-forward 20 years, when I was graduating in 1980, she valiantly completed her GED diploma so we could attend nursing school together. As we were retiring from our 30-year nursing careers, my daughter (and her future husband) graduated from the same nursing school! Three generations of nursing service—all from the grit and determination of my mother.”
— Tarri V. in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
“One thing I’ve learned about being a mom is that it’s more about presence than anything else. It’s not about doing things right or better. It’s not about knowing all the answers. It’s not about wishing we could have bought our kids all the cool stuff, or wishing we’d done things differently. It’s about showing up as we are today, in this moment, and being with our kids fully. It’s not about wanting to change anything; it’s just about being ‘here’ now.”
— Lora P. in Seattle, Washington
Humankind(ness) is a reader-built corner of joy. So, what act(s) of kindness did you experience this week? Tell us here. And if this story made you smile—share our email (copy URL here).
