On this Mother’s Day, there will be thanks given to swim moms across the state for rides to practice, meals, and being the loudest cheerer at the meet. All things that are worth the gratitude. Today, I want to share a little bit of the why behind these actions and maybe give you a little extra to thank mom for this year.
First, even though we are taught there are four fundamental forces in the universe (gravity, electromagnetism, strong nuclear force, and weak nuclear force), I propose there is a fifth force and that is maternal instinct. It is a mother’s bond with her children that elicits a desire for care, protection, safety, and overall well-being.
My father used to illustrate this point with a hypothetical. Let’s say your walking on a path in woods and you notice ahead of you is the huge, angry, hungry male Grizzly Bear. Then, you notice behind you there is a little mama grizzly bear with her cubs. He’d ask, “what’s your best chance of survival”? The answer was the male grizzly, because if the mama bear is protecting her cubs, she won’t stop until she ends it. There’s a small chance the male will get bored with you.
As a child or a teen, we often get frustrated with our mom’s and at times, see them as overbearing, over involved, nosy, and basically out to stop any fun you might want to have. We look directly at their actions in the moment and do not take time to consider their intent. They do these things because they love you more than anyone else on the entire planet and it’s not negotiable. They may not always express it right through their actions, but the intent is always there.
Trust me and take the time to thank her for that and please go beyond a simple thank you.
Make a conversation out of it.
You’ll both be glad you did.