I love everything about this poem, and the last line in particular has stayed with me:
Your brilliance is the backbone of this world. I was intrigued by Gurumayi’s use of the word
brilliance here, so I looked it up in the dictionary and thesaurus. What I found was a startling array of definitions and synonyms, almost all of which I could see applying to mothers!
I feel that by using this word,
brilliance, Gurumayi is identifying and honoring every single one of these qualities in a mother. It gives me an even greater appreciation for my own mother and for all mothers.
New York, United States
While reading this poem, I thought of three generations in my own family: my mother, myself, and my children. Although I still remember and miss my mother—even during my seventy-ninth year—she is always with me. I feel her presence in my every thought, action, and reaction. All I do and think is still connected to how she brought me up, with discipline and values that are still applicable today.
When I look at myself as a mother, it gratifies me that my children still value my thoughts and my example. They express their appreciation in so many ways, which is amazing.
Lastly, when I observe how my own children are bringing up their children, I so appreciate that they are instilling their values and sense of responsibility in them. My grandchildren respect the older generation and value their advice.
I know that all this has only been possible because I have been extremely fortunate to have found Gurumayi. My Guru has taught me how to value discipline and uplift my life.
Pune, India
I recently lost my mother. So my eyes teared up as I read this eloquent poem dedicated to all mothers. When I listened to it read aloud, with my eyes closed, my heart opened. I felt the presence of a filament that connected my heart with the heart of my mother. I recognized that my mother’s wisdom and beauty are always present. They radiate in the words that I speak, in the love that I feel, and in the confidence and determination that guides me through my life.
Maine, United States