One of my greatest titles is that of mom, though my kids call me numerous variations of that word. They are currently cooking up what they want my grandma name to be in the future. (No, I’m not becoming a grandma yet.) To torture me, they have landed on Smeemaw. 
Even though I’ve failed at this calling many times, I love being a mother. For a woman, motherhood has unique ways of stripping you of selfishness. Your body is completely given over to your child so that they can grow within your womb. You intimately know them even before they are born.
You bear the scars of birth, but they are scars worth bearing.
More than any other person on earth, a newborn baby is dependent on its mother.
Loving your children means anticipating everything that could go wrong, worrying about them even when they fly the nest, constant prayers, aching for the days when their little, chubby hands wrapped around your finger and their little cherub voices were just learning their words, but, also, relishing in the moment of their current age.
I can safely say that my children have made me a better person.
When I fail at motherhood, I often call on Mary, Our Mother. When I’m worried over my children, impatient with them, distracted, or not giving them my best, I think of her example and ask for her prayers.
What it must be like to be Mother to Our Lord, I can only imagine. Because she is the greatest mother to have ever lived, she knows just what we need to lead a fruitful, joyful, and meaningful life—her Son.
Through her example, I hope to keep my children close to Him always.
Have a blessed Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God and Happy New Year, Catholic Pilgrims!
Mary, Our Mother, pray for us!
