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Fidelma Fitzgerald.
On Mother’s Day, local writer Fidelma Fitzgerald reflects on her relationship with her mom and why mothers in general are just amazing…
I can best describe mothers as classical music. Beautiful, powerful, strong and unconditionally impacting.
I have been very lucky, blessed in fact, to be born to a lady of such qualities. My four brothers and three sisters have also had this good fortune.
In fact, the good fortune of having such a woman in our lives has reached her great grandchildren. I don’t have any children of my own, however if that was to be my path, I would most definitely want to have the virtues my mother. As I grow older, I notice changes in myself, physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.
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I have often commented aloud to myself; “I’m turning into my mother”. These words would roll off my tongue as if it were a bad thing, when indeed it’s a true blessing to have her virtues bestowed on myself.
It’s easy to say mothers in general can be interfering and to some extreme cases, controlling. Yet do we reflect long enough to ask ourselves why it is that mothers go to such lengths for their children?
When Our Lady took her son down from the cross after the Romans crucified him, it was evident that she was crucified alongside him.
Every strike and blow that was given pierced the heart of her son, however it drove harder into the heart of his mother.
It’s a mother’s instinct to hurt as deeply as her children may hurt. Conversely, a mother has the same instinct to feel the same amount of joy her child/children may be feeling.
The reason for this is simple; unconditional love.
Why is it that mothers are so unbelievably wonderful? Wonderful in their strengths and equally wonderful in their weakness for they are not always perfect, however they are and always will be, love. Just love. They do the very best with what they got and drive on regardless.
Classical music will take you on a journey of highs and lows. It will talk to your very being. The more mature the music becomes, the deeper it affects the soul.
It has been my honest experience that my mother has had the very same effect on me. I can say I’m a daughter and a friend, I can look into her eyes and love her deeply.
I can see her journey and many scars it left, scars my mother would not erase, as I believe she wouldn’t change a single thing, apart from maybe some goodbyes. Her faith though, knows this too is only for now. The return to loved ones awaits.
The rewards to mothers far outweigh what we can say or give. For a superhero like mine, I will never be able to return the same love, certainly not in this lifetime.
My kind words for the fantastic mothers now and the mothers to be, is this and no more…
Keep trying to listen and take heed of what they say, for the mothers of this world, they most certainly do know the way.
• Fidelma Fitzgerald is from Tralee and has written a number of plays and short stories. This piece is part of an intended upcoming production by Philomena Dramatics
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