A number of years ago, when I was writing a column on leadership, I shared a story that bears repeating:
As a mom of many, my thousands of trips to the supermarket have taught me an important truth. The chances of my leaving at least one bag of groceries behind are pretty high. The chances of my retrieving what I’ve lost are just about zip.
So when I was leaving the supermarket, my attention quickly turned to a young man who whizzed by me yelling, “You left this behind!” High above his head, he held a plastic bag containing a carton of eggs.
When it seemed he would lose his customer out the revolving front doors, he quickly shouted, “MOM! You left this!”
In an instant, the woman had spun on her heels and was facing the young man. Realizing that a stranger was holding her grocery bag, she began to laugh, explaining that, for a second, she thought it was her son calling her, and that she always turns around when she hears “Mom!”
Most moms would agree, it’s instinctual.
Obviously, the young man had learned that lesson, as well, having observed that just about any mom will respond to that small but powerful word. With a big smile, and certainly happy to be of service, he still apologized for using the strategy saying, “Sorry for any disrespect, M’am. I just wanted to make sure you got your package!”
My original focus for the column was on the young man and the leadership skills that were obviously developing in spite of his young age. But, with Mother’s Day having just passed and May being the traditional month to celebrate the Mary, Mother of God, it seems appropriate to focus now on the power of the title, mom.
There is an incredible bond that develops between a mother and a child which propels a mother to put their child’s needs before their own, to sacrifice whatever is necessary for the child, to feel in the deepest part of their hearts their child’s fears, pain, and doubts, and be compelled to do what is necessary to comfort them and ensure they feel safe and secure, and happy.
Mary, as Our Lady of Guadalupe, expressed many of these sentiments to Saint Juan Diego when she said, “Do not be troubled or weighed down with grief. Do not fear any illness or vexation, anxiety, or pain. Am I not here who am your Mother? Are you not under my shadow and protection? Am I not your fountain of life? Are you not in the folds of my mantle? In the crossing of my arms? Is there anything else you need?”
At the heart of the power of mom is love, fueled by passion and prayer which is often beyond understanding.
Pope Francis observed, “A society without mothers would be a dehumanized society, for mothers are always, even in the worst moments, witnesses of tenderness, dedication and moral strength. … Dearest mothers, thank you, thank you for what you are in your family and for what you give to the Church and the world.”
Mary Regina Morrell is a Catholic journalist, author, and syndicated columnist who has served the dioceses of Metuchen and Trenton, New Jersey, and RENEW International in the areas of catechesis and communication.