Love comes in many forms and from many places—romantic, platonic, fleeting, eternal. But there’s one kind of love that stands apart. It is quiet and unwavering, with no need for applause, no demand for attention, and no need to keep a score. It’s a mother’s love.
Our mothers are our ultimate cheerleaders and our first supporters. They believe in us even when we are covered in a blanket of doubt and hopelessness.
You feel it in the steady hands holding you as you get your bearings right after a stumble. In the soft whispers of encouragement when your eyes see nothing but uncertainty and fear, readying your wings so you can soar. The unwavering promise that no matter where you end up in the world, you’ll have a home to come home to—her waiting arms. It’s the kind of love that changes you.
This sentiment is beautifully captured in Kalpesh Desai’s poem, I’ll Be Waiting Here, from his book of poetry:
It matters not how far you wander
Or what you seek.
[...]
You will find me—patiently waiting here.
These lines remind us that no matter where life takes us, our mothers are always there, waiting with unwavering patience and love.
Before the world knew of us and our potential, our mothers were already there on the sidelines, cheering us on. They are our first teachers, first fans, our first believers. Whether it’s your first step, a school play, a poetry competition, a job application, or a personal milestone, mothers can make it all feel less daunting. Like you can step up and face the world.
How many times has your mother been the one to encourage you when you felt like giving up? How many times has she reminded you of your strengths when you were too focused on your weaknesses? A mother’s belief in her child is unwavering. She sees potential even in our smallest efforts and celebrates our victories, whether big or small.
And their support isn't limited to those flashy milestone moments, either. No, they live in the little things they do every day: remembering your favorite snack, packing your lunch, listening to you pour your heart out with no judgment, and buying you cute stationery so you feel less hopeless. It’s the almost-inconsequential things she does that tell you, “I’ll be here, waiting.”
A mother’s love is patient. It doesn’t rush or pressure you to figure everything out simultaneously. It gives you the space to grow, stumble, and find your way at your own pace. This patience is one of our mothers’ quiet gifts. It teaches us that it’s okay not to have all the answers. Growth takes time, and we can wander a little before we find our path. Life isn’t a race to the finish line, it’s a journey, one where we learn and change with everything we come across and take in.
At the end of that journey, our mother will be there, waiting for us to come home but never stopping us from going on another one. Her love is a promise that you’ll always have a home to go back to—a place where you are loved for who you are, not what you’ve done and accomplished.
A mother’s love is quiet, patient, and unwavering. It’s the loving hand that guides you, the soft voice that encourages you, and the warm embrace that reminds you you’re never alone. A mother’s love is the kind of love that waits—not because it has to, but because it wants to.
So, here’s to the mothers—the ones who love us through hell and high water. Tell them you love them today and every day.
by Trisha Hortillo