As part of our Mother's Day Giveaway last week, we asked our readers, "What does Motherhood Mean to you?" Heartwarming responses started pouring in. I really enjoyed the pause from my day to sit and read them all. I found them to be thought-provoking, uplifting and inspiring and thought I'd share some of them with you. Most of us have never met, so it's pretty special how just the fact that we have children creates an instant sense of connection. I appreciate each of you who took the time to share your reflections and I hope you get as much enjoyment out of reading these as I did. My hope is that we can carry these wonderful thoughts with us beyond Mother's Day --- and keep them close to heart every day of the year.
"Motherhood is an endless rewarding relationship that is unique and powerful! Every stage and every child uniquely different and all the while an ongoing learning experience." ~ Paola
"Motherhood means that I will never love another as much as my kiddo and that love will fill my heart till the last of my days." ~ Jessika
"Motherhood is unconditional love. It is feeling so lucky to have children you can watch grow up and have their own fantastic thoughts and interests." ~ Joan
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"It is lots of work and efforts, but lots of self-improvement and life enrichment." ~ Hua
"Everything." ~ Pam
"Your life is never the same anymore once a mother." ~ Roger
"Motherhood is the best roller coaster - it has highs and lows... it's scary but worth it!" ~ Jessica
"Motherhood has been an amazing experience. It is full of love and happiness." ~ Jessica
"Motherhood is waking up to a new day with my children’s sleepy eyes opening to a new adventure. Even if it’s just to the bus stop." ~ Dee
"Motherhood means LOVE! I love everyday because my kids make my world a brighter and better place." ~ Ali
"Motherhood is what really made my life feel purposeful." ~ Beth
"Motherhood means the world to me. Raising an amazing boy to be kind, generous, and unique." ~ Erin
"Motherhood - postpartum depression and anxiety made it seem an insurmountable task. Ten years in, I am in awe at the depth of love inherent in being Mom to my amazing son." ~ Mariah
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"Motherhood means getting to view the world and journey of life, through my daughter’s beautiful eyes and heart. Being a part of the experience is truly priceless." ~ Kathryn
"Motherhood means kindness, empathy, compassion and endless love." ~ Nicole
"Motherhood is the most frustrating, exhausting, humbling and rewarding job of my life." ~ Katie
"Motherhood is my 3 children. Giving the best that I can, things I didn't have or do as a child, seeing the world through their eyes. I give my all to them and love every moment of it, the good and the not so good. It's exhausting while lively. It's confusing while it's enlightening. It's hard some days and so very rewarding other days." ~ Cheryl
"Motherhood is loving unconditionally with all my heart. Motherhood is always being there for them and supporting no matter what." ~ Emily
"Motherhood to me is the pride that I feel as I see tiny versions of myself growing up to be kind and responsible adults!" ~ Kirthiga
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"Being mother means the world to me. It isn’t easy some days but I wouldn’t trade for anything else!" ~ Erin
"Being with my kids and celebrating the best job in the world." ~ Melissa
"Motherhood is the greatest joy especially when you see your child grow up to be a wonderful mother herself. Being a grandmother also gives great joy." ~ Laura
"After a long journey in fertility clinics and had to do IVF, I was finally double blessed with my precious twin girls who made me realize what is the meaning of unconditional love." ~ Layal
"Motherhood is beautiful and messy, there’s never a-dull-moment and it’s tedious, it's life-giving and physically draining but it’s the most rewarding thing you will ever do!" ~ Danielle
"A chance to recognize the women who gave us life and the ones who gave our children life. Moms are the foundation of everything." ~ Anthony
"Motherhood is the greatest challenge and the greatest joy! To know unconditional love reciprocally and to help bring up your own child is a surreal and gratifying experience. It's true what they say, "The days are long but the years are short. I try to remember that and cherish the moments because I know they are fleeting!" ~ Joan
"Motherhood is my greatest achievement. Watching my kids learn and grow is the best thing in the world." ~ Stephanie
"Motherhood is an amazing gift and a blessing and the only thing that let me keep going through the tough times in my life including divorce. Being a mother is my purpose in life. My three children are everything to me!!!" ~ Elena
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"The most wonderful experience one can have. Nothing compares to the love one can have for her children." ~ Jaclyn
"My kids are my everything, I live and breathe for them, very tiring and no relaxation but it is worth it all!" ~ Jennifer
"It’s a time to show love and gratefulness to those maternal figures that show us unconditional love." ~ Elena
"Motherhood is the best thing in life! Seeing your children happy makes you happy!" ~ Joan
"Motherhood has given me a purpose in my life that I never knew I was missing. My children define me and I very literally couldn’t be more proud of the young adults they are turning into." ~ Erin
"To me motherhood is a chance to share all the love I have to give." ~ Liz
"Being a mother is my most important job, I have 2 beautiful daughters and their significant others that I am “mom” too. I am also a teacher so I have 20 other children in my care. I have been a teacher for 39 years and I still hear from many of my kids from all of my classes. They keep me posted on how they are doing and how much they still remember about started out their education in my classroom. Every year we hang up photos and our board says “Ohana” because that’s means family!!" ~ Wendy
"I have four sons, I couldn’t imagine my life without them. I’m so proud to be a part of their journey and see how they develop into their unique selves. They fill my heart up and make me laugh a lot! I am so grateful for each and every one of them." ~ Jennifer
"Motherhood is what I've always wanted. My poor family thought I would have a child at a really early age because I wanted to be a mom since I was a kid! By the time I hit my late 20's, I was still single with no good man in sight so I told my family that if I was still single when I turned 30, I would get inseminated and do it on my own. My son was born three months before I turned 30. I have been a single mother since he was 1 1/2 years old (he's 12 now) and he is the best thing that ever happened to me. We have a special bond and he is growing into such an amazing young man. I'm beyond proud of him. This year will be our first year alone. My mother (an amazing role model) passed away two years ago. Last year we spent the day with friends but this year we are on our own. I know she is looking down on me and guiding me through the challenges of being a parent." ~ Sandy
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"Motherhood to me means being able to put others needs before your own but also recognizing that caring for self is a necessity in order to continue to give our best as a mother. Motherhood also means being able to relive childhood moments and or create one's that we might not have had as a child." ~ Anjali
"Happily exhausted and eternally loved!" ~ Melissa
"Motherhood is the most beautiful, challenging, rewarding and amazing thing I have every done. My three boys mean the world to me and I feel so blessed every day to have them in my life!" Eliisa
"Mother’s Day is a day to spend with family doing things we all love!" ~ Crystal
"Mothers are the foundation, the very bedrock upon which life is based. Not only do they create new life, but they nurture all aspects of life for their children and the entire family. Their work is endless and under appreciated. I love my mom and my wife for all of the sacrifices." ~ Richard
"Motherhood means a feeling of unconditional love." ~ Lisa
"What motherhood means to me is purpose, extreme love and exhaustion, and not wanting to change it for anything else in the world." ~ Annette
"Creating new little people, watching them grew and develop." ~ Sarah
"My kids are my everything, I live and breathe for them, very tiring and no relaxation but it is worth it all!" ~ Jennifer
"Motherhood means creating a special bond with a little one who will grow before your eyes. It comes with its challenges, but the little moments of happiness, silliness, and love overcome all." ~ Kate-Lynn
"Being a mother to my little guys is the most special and wonderful experience!" ~ Kirsten
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"Giving your last bites of ice cream to your 11 year old twin daughters when you haven’t had it in months and want to scarf it all down yourself, welcoming warm 2am snuggles from a 9 year old baby girl who had a bad dream, receiving syrupy kisses from your 7 year old son, making several daily trips into town for various sports schedules, and using a note that says “I hope you have an amasing day! Be someone’s sunchine” as my bookmark so I can smile throughout my day and remember it is all worth it!" ~ Elizabeth
"A day to celebrate the women in our lives who do so much to nurture and support us each day!" ~ Nicole
"Motherhood means to me that I never get to eat the food on my plate haha. Motherhood means hearing my kids giggle and laugh until they have hiccups." ~ Crystal
"My legacy, my chance to have the family I always dreamed of. It’s hard, but boy is it the best part of life!" ~ Kim
"Motherhood is being present for all those in your life." ~ Nancy
"Motherhood means everything to me! The highs and lows to the cuddles to the love and kisses." ~ Joanna
"After going thru infertility for many years, one simple word. A blessing...." ~ Amy
"Motherhood means a sense of joy and excitement for each day and the future." ~ Nicole
"Motherhood is the most important and fulfilling job in the world." ~ Patricia
"Joy, Pain, Love, Sacrifice, Blood, Sweat, Tears & Worth Every Minute!!" ~ Tiffany
"Being a single mom is not easy, but is the most incredible experience! My daughter is my best friend!" ~ Star
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