My Mother’s Day Prayer

by Rabbi Judy Schindler

At Sinai we were told:
kabed et avichah v’et imechah –
Honor your father and mother.

At Hallmark stores, we are commanded:
find the perfect card to let your mom know she matters.

On this Mother’s Day, I am thankful
that my mom raised me, loved me,
made sure I could get the best education possible
and supported the personal and professional paths I chose.

On this Mother’s Day I pray
that aging will be good to her
that the goodness she sowed
will yield a plentiful harvest.
I pray that she will continue to enjoy life,
always have her dignity, and
be able to rejoice in the fruits of her labors.

On this Mother’s Day I weep
for the hundreds of Nigerians
whose daughters have been kidnapped.
May we all support their efforts to
#bringourgirlshome.

On this Mother’s Day I pray
for mothers in hospital rooms
That their children may heal and
With them, their moms find sound sleep
and incomparable peace and joy.

On this Mother’s Day I pray
for those wanting to be moms.
May they find the soul mates they seek to share the journey of parenting.
May they be blessed with the fertility for which they yearn.
May adoption bring a child into their arms, hearts and lives.

On this Mother’s Day I pray
for those who have lost their children.
May they find the strength to live and
to honor their child’s memory in a meaningful way that makes a difference.
May they find the ability to continue to embrace life
for their child who is gone,
for those who live and love them,
and for themselves.

May those whose have lost their moms
Find solace in and strength from the memories they hold so dear.

And on this Mother’s Day, I pray
that we may all honor
the mothers and fathers of our world for their noble work.
May we be partners in educating their children well,
keeping their children healthy,
and caring for our world so that their children
and their children’s children can survive and thrive.