The Gifts You’ve Given to Me
You gave me love when I first drew breath…
You nourished my body and soul.
You gave me the gift to believe in myself,
helping me become the unique person I am.
You gave me an understanding of the value of life…
a desire to share my special talents with others
and to love others with the love you
so generously bestowed on me…
and I will leave this world a better place
for having made a difference.
Favorite Mother’s Day Quotes
“Mother is the one we count on for the things that matter most of all.”
— Katherine Butler Hathaway“The strength of motherhood is greater than natural laws.”
— Barbara Kingsolver“Children and mothers never truly part—
bound in the beating of each other’s heart.”
— Charlotte Gray“The heart of a mother is a deep abyss at the bottom of which you will always find forgiveness.”
— Honoré de Balzac“When I stopped seeing my mother with the eyes of a child, I saw the woman who helped me give birth to myself.”
— Nancy Friday“Mothers are instinctive philosophers.”
— Harriet Beecher Stowe“God could not be everywhere, and therefore he made mothers.”
— Jewish Proverb“Mothers hold their children’s hands for a short while, but their hearts forever.”
— Author Unknown
Always Looking Up to You
I remember when I was a little girl,
I would try on your shoes,
but they wouldn’t fit…
always too big,
yet I loved to walk in them anyway—
always wanting to be just like you.
I would see the lipstick and powder on your dresser,
the pearl necklace and earrings—
the finishing touch
so I could play grown-up.
With my doll, I pretended she was me
so I could be you—
tending her needs,
singing her a lullaby beneath the stars,
holding her close
just as you held me before sleep.
As I grew older, admiration deepened—
your knowledge, your love of books,
your ability to explain the world
from the smallest life to the vast cosmos.
Now grown, I still try to fit your shoes—
to act on my beliefs,
to stand for the oppressed,
to care for those without a voice.
Your light still shines,
and I am always looking up to you.
A Mother’s Day poem –
A Rose for You, Mother
A Rose for You, Mother
I remember when I was a little girl
if I had my feelings hurt,
you gave me a rose
and said,
“this rose is a symbol for all the
love I have for you…
and for your family who loves you too.”
I remember when I lost a music contest,
you gave me a rose
and said,
“this is for all your effort
and the next time you’ll do better.
Look at this lovely rose…
remember, it took awhile before it became
such a beautiful flower.”
If I brought a report card home
that was a disappointment to me…
you said,
“The enjoyment of learning
is far more important
as it will help improve your grades,
and has greater impact in determining
what you can do…
learning doesn’t just end with school.
Think of this rose
to remind you that
life has its ups and downs…
and you will have your days
when sunshine abounds.”
As a symbol of the magic
of your love and the wisdom
you gave me to fulfill my dreams,
I now present this rose to you
on Mother’s Day
as a beloved token of these memories
that I will always cherish,
and of the love I’ll always have for you.
A Mother Aids a Traveler on a Journey
A mother is like an angel
gifted with extraordinary powers
coming to the aid
of a traveler on a sometimes
perilous path.
As she comes to the rescue
of a little one overwhelmed
by stormy waters…
she arrives on fleet foot
to lift him out of danger
and to give another breath of
life, of hope…
a feeling that all is well again.
Her light carries far over the distance
like a luminous star,
in darkness aiding
travelers worn and weary…
stricken with loneliness or despair,
mitigating hardship
as it nourishes the spirit
and strengthens the belief
that they can make it at last…
to their destiny.
Because You Loved Me,
Celine Dion (with Lyrics) –
Dedication to Mothers
Insights About These Poems
These poems collectively offer a deeply layered meditation on motherhood as both a nurturing force and a moral compass. Rather than portraying mothers as idealized figures removed from reality, Lora Hollings presents them as guides whose everyday actions quietly shape a child’s character, resilience, and sense of purpose.
In The Gifts You’ve Given to Me, motherhood is shown as the original source of self-worth and compassion. The poem emphasizes that a mother’s greatest gift is not protection from the world, but preparation for it—instilling confidence, empathy, and a desire to contribute meaningfully to others.
Always Looking Up to You explores the evolution of admiration across a lifetime. Childhood imitation—trying on shoes, playing grown-up—gradually transforms into moral emulation. The mother becomes a model not only of care, but of intellectual curiosity, social responsibility, and courage. The poem beautifully captures how children internalize a parent’s values long after childhood ends.
A Rose for You, Mother uses the rose as a recurring symbol of encouragement and perspective. Through moments of disappointment and self-doubt, the mother reframes failure as growth, teaching patience, perseverance, and joy in learning. The rose becomes a quiet reminder that beauty often takes time.
Finally, A Mother Aids a Traveler on a Journey elevates motherhood into a universal metaphor. The mother is a guiding light—appearing in moments of crisis, restoring hope, and helping others find their way forward.
Together, these poems affirm that a mother’s love is both tender and transformative, shaping lives not through grandeur, but through steady presence, wisdom, and unwavering belief.
