The celebration of a mother’s mercy

So it has been 32 years since God brought me into this world through my beautiful mother. I only remember bits and pieces of what happened before today, but among the strongest memories that stay with me is the mercy and love of my parents.

I don’t really know when people started celebrating their birthdays, but as with every event that God gives to us, it’s a good time to reflect and be grateful. Obviously, I have been blessed with so many things. And if I try to enumerate them, no doubt I will not be able to do so. Yet O so often have I forgotten about them and set my focus only on things that I don’t have instead. Shame on me!

But anyway, as with any birthday, the credit and congratulation should go to the one who deserves it the most, which in this case is the mother.

In labor, every mother risks her life to deliver a human being into this world. It started with 9 months of difficulties and exhaustion, which in many cases deter many parts of her body. After birth, the baby will need to be nurtured and taken care of until he/she reaches independence, which takes many years and immense effort. But the mother (and father) will never yield, and will continue to support the person who was once her little baby, even though she doesn't get the gratitude that she deserves.

The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said that after God and His messenger, the mother is whom we must respect the most. She has done so much for us, that nothing we do will ever repay her mercy. Even the best deed that we do for her will not even recompense the pain of giving labor.

So I take this opportunity to express gratitude for one of the most immense blessings that He has given me.

Thank you mama and papa, for showering your mercy upon me. I most definitely did many bad things. Yet you continued to support and care for me. May God also shower mercy upon you as you showered mercy upon me when I was feeble and weak.