In recent weeks, I, like so many others, have watched, reluctantly, yet another crisis in yet another conflict in yet another country unfold. Innocent civilian populations caught between two sides jostling for territorial position and political gains which only ever serve to bring forth more death and destruction. When will we ever learn?
But throughout all this I have been extremely humbled by the bravery I have seen. Women prepared to stand between the bullet and the child, or face up to the invading forces with no fear for themselves. They possess an innate sense of protection for their offspring, and all children.
You’d think it takes a lot of courage to stand in front of a fully loaded tank and admonish its occupants or to hurl abuse at heavily armed soldiers. But there is no fear and there is no need for courage. These attributes are for other, lesser, beings. Here there is a natural and instinctual sense of anger. Fury at those that would dare endanger their children, their families and their communities. You don’t need courage if you are that outraged. Courage doesn’t come into it. And that’s why I am so touched and upset by what I see.
It makes me look inward. To my own family. How would it be for me?, for us?
I have no doubt that even though my mother finds it difficult to walk, is 79, always in pain and has poor eyesight, that she would stand there in front of that tank and obliterate it with her passionate and heartfelt missiles, she would confront that soldier and bring him to his knees with her laser guided words. The aggressors would be carpet bombed with her whole arsenal of protective airstrikes in the name of her children and all children.
I send my love and admiration to all mothers everywhere, especially mine. They suffered the pain of childbirth for us, nurtured us, cherished us and protected us. And when it comes to situations like these I am so utterly in awe of the women who stand up for the safety and security of their children. Mine is a special one for sure. But aren’t they all?
From cradle to grave a mothers love is immeasurable, incomparable and unconditional.
