Mother’s Day has always been one of the most meaningful days of the year for me. My mom, Linda, passed away in 2015 at just 56 years old—but her love, her sacrifices, and the way she showed up for my sister and me still shape the way I see family today.
Remembering My Mom, Linda
Growing up, I didn’t always understand what my mom carried. Like many parents, she didn’t talk much about her struggles—maybe because she didn’t want to place that weight on her kids. But looking back, I can see how much she gave. She tried to smile even when she was dealing with pain—sometimes physical, sometimes emotional. Life wasn’t easy for her, especially while raising my sister and me, but she still sacrificed and did everything she could to make sure we were loved and taken care of.
Celebrating Delia, the Mother of Our Daughter
I’m also grateful for another mother in my life: my wife, Delia—the mother of our daughter, Mikaylah. Delia is different from my mom in many ways, but one thing stands out: even through hardship, she keeps going. She works hard, loves deeply, and shows kindness and generosity in the way she cares for our family.
Our daughter is 13 now, and Delia will be the first to tell you that motherhood can feel especially challenging in the teen years. I try to remind her: it’s supposed to be challenging. Kids grow, change, test limits, and sometimes bring moods we don’t expect. That doesn’t mean we’re failing—it means they’re becoming their own person.
Other Mother Figures I’m Thankful For
I’ve also been influenced by many mothers beyond my own—my grandmothers Joan and Isabella, my great-grandmother Anne, and even the moms I work with every day. Still, I’d be lying if I said I don’t feel my mom’s absence, especially when I think about her not being here to watch Mikaylah grow up. I’m grateful that my mother-in-law, Conchi, is alive and well, and I thank God for that. I don’t get to see her often because she lives in El Salvador, but I respect her deeply—and I see the strength she passed down to Delia.
For Those Who Feel Mother’s Day Differently
I also know Mother’s Day can be complicated. Not everyone has warm memories of their mom. Some people grew up with mothers who were absent, harmful, or abusive—and it makes sense that those relationships can be painful or even beyond repair. At the same time, grief has a way of reminding us that when a mother is gone, something shifts forever. However you carry this day—celebration, sadness, relief, longing, or all of the above—I hope you give yourself grace.
A Prayer for Mothers (Especially Single Moms)
Today, I’m praying for mothers everywhere—for strength, patience, and support. And I’m especially thinking of single moms who have to carry both roles, often while juggling work, bills, food on the table, and a roof overhead. Parenting can feel endless when you’re in the middle of it. But kids do grow up, and one day they step into lives of their own. If you’re a mom reading this, I hope you know your effort matters—and I hope your children recognize it more and more as they grow.
I like to think my mom did a good job with me—not because she was perfect, but because she did her best with what she had. She didn’t have much, but she found ways to work miracles. I still think about the holidays—Thanksgiving, Christmas, and all the days she made sure we felt joy, laughter, and love.
To every mom, stepmom, grandmother, auntie, and mother figure—thank you. Happy Mother’s Day. May God strengthen you, refresh you, and meet you right where you are today. And if you’re able, call a mom you love, share a memory, and let her know she’s appreciated.
Joe Meyers Adventures 