Everyone has a story about their mother. Mothers are as different as their unique personalities. Some are patient and kind. Some are loud and obnoxious. Others are very opinionated. In spite of these characteristic differences in a mother’s personality, they do the best that they can, as there is no wrong way to love their child.

Being a mother is both the most challenging and the most rewarding experience a woman can have. Through all of the stages their children go through, a mother’s love is unconditional; it is constant; it never ends. Just as a child’s development goes through different stages, a mother’s love goes through stages, as well.

This year I wanted to mark my mother’s 80th birthday with something special. It didn’t need to be expensive; I simply wanted somethat that would reflect upon her life and our relationship. I eventually chose to put together an Italian charm bracelet that would reflect each of the stages of her life, especially her role of a mother.

A new mother’s love is blind as she gazes at her red-faced, wrinkly, toothless newborn. She honestly believes her baby is the most beautiful in the world. Her love for this infant has grown as her womb has expanded. She has lovingly and unselfishly prepared for this moment, for her life as she has known it is changed forever with the birth of her child.

A mother’s love for her toddler is patient, as she tirelessly teaches this youngster what society expects of them. Temper tantrums thrown in frustration are dealt with. Lessons in potty training and communication are constant. Though this stage is short-lived, it takes a lot of energy to keep up with a rambunctious child of this age. The mother’s love grows with each accomplishment.

The love for the school-aged child can best be described as consistent, as the mother learns to let her child develop an individual personality. She allows her child to socialize; enables her child to experience life; challenges her child to become independent; supports her child through trials and triumphs, alike. Through all of these stages of development, her love is unwavering.

In a mother’s eyes, her child can usually do no wrong, regardless of the circumstances. Not so true in the tumultuous adolescent years. Because the mother did such a good job of raising her child to be an independent, self-reliant individual, teen-agers often push themselves into adulthood before they are actually ready. Mistakes are made. Often, all a mother can do is guide the child to learn from their mistakes; to make better decisions; to accept that her child is not perfect. In this stage of motherhood, her love needs to be very forgiving and understanding.

The child who becomes an adult understands and appreciates the love their mother has shown them over the years. They realize she has been their biggest fan; their strongest support; their best teacher; their most sincere critic. The mother of an adult child finally sees that her sacrifices and efforts in raising her child were not in vain. The love she has for her adult child is full of pride.

There is a special bond formed by mother and child once the child becomes a parent. The mother’s ever-changing role is now defined as “Grandmother”. This woman’s love has come full circle now because she understands the challenges her child will face in raising a child. She knows the rewards her child will receive. She appreciates the lessons in love that her grandchild will learn. For, there is no stronger love than that of a mother; and no love more rewarding than becoming a grandmother!Shall we all drink a hearty toast to our mother’s whose love has always enveloped us?