One day, a teacher was highlighting a number of gifts granted to humans. He spoke of thought, imagination, inspiration and the appreciation of beauty.

After a pause, he added: “The mother; the heat of the Earth; and the sting of the scorpion, which represented our need to learn to overcome enemies and obstacles.”

Mothers are the masters of the secret heart sacrifice, and gracious and exemplary absorbers of the ingratitude of others.

They are present when we are least capable of understanding and expressing our gratitude.

When she is our entire universe, a child usually takes for granted–believes he or she is entitled to–love, protection, subsistence, the fruits of our parents labors, education; and everything that comes our way through the self-sacrifice of a loving heart.

My mother often said that I would miss her when she was gone. Her reminder was a wake-up call that she was not only mother but best friend, guardian, first teacher of morality and ethics, the only evidence of the possibility of unconditional love, and provider of the very substance of my physical existence.

I remember my Uncle Niccolo telling me — “Never cause your mother heartache, she is your first conscience, first example of humaneness, your best guide and trusted friend and your first appearance of a joyful presence!”

Raphael O’Suna
Ha’ikū