In today’s world of commercialism, Mother’s Day should be celebrated not only as the day when mothers are given flowers, gifts and pampered, not that this is not appreciated by many mothers, but mothers should in truth be remembered throughout their lives. This year is dedicated to Intergenerational Solidarity and Active Ageing. Mothers remain mothers forever both physically or in the hearts of their children after they pass away.

Ageing mothers are still the same mothers although some may now need care and assistance to get through the day, which for many means loneliness and frustration, especially if there is no one with whom they can share their days. With nostalgia, they recall when their homes were filled with the sounds of children running around and playing, their own or their children’s children, the evenings of homework and clashes... and love.

Younger mothers have different stories of motherhood to tell; these are not the same as those of their own mothers, as each generation brings change with it, be it for better or worse, which only the next generations can judge. Mothers can be as young as 14 or even less and this phenomenon seems to be on the increase not only in African countries, (where it was not uncommon) but also in the western world. These girls have to face an unwanted pregnancy and pressure to take difficult decisions on whether to accept the responsibility of motherhood or decide on adoption or, much worse, abortion.

Mother’s Day should primarily be an eye opener into the inner self of each one, to be thankful for the gift of life, the life that could so easily have been cut short.

On this Mother’s Day let us all show solidarity with mothers and fathers who are facing financial difficulties in bringing up their children, finding it hard to make ends meet, with mothers who are alone at home or forgotten in a home or who cannot be with their families, with mothers whose children need special care, have been injured or worse, are no more, and for mothers whose children have wandered away from the right path.

But let us also be happy with mothers and also fathers who are happy and who are doing their best, albeit with sacrifice to raise their children and with mothers of different generations who share their time together. With the birth of every child a woman has become a mother, a grandmother or, if lucky, a great-grandmother. In a fast changing society, mothers have to face challenges that must be tackled on a daily basis. Let us celebrate Mother’s Day for what it really is – a celebration of love for life.

Mary Gaerty

President, National Council of Women