WALKING THROUGH A PARK one morning, I noticed a young mother and her toddler son making their way to the other side of a large soccer field. The mom kept up a casual but steady pace, pushing an empty stroller. Her little boy walked happily at her side, except for when he'd fall behind becoming absorbed in a world of his own—running in circles, kicking up leaves, fighting imaginary enemies with his stick "sword." Then, startled, as if waking from a dream, he'd realize his mother had moved beyond him, and he'd run to catch up.
This happened several times, and each time the young mother would lovingly gather the little boy up in her arms. The bond between them was so tight it seemed as if a rope connected the two. But the only tie, of course, was love.
Watching this play out, I thought about how all of us need to feel a mother's comforting arms hugging us, especially when we're feeling distressed, lost, or lonely. But what if you don't have close ties with your mother? Or your mother has passed on, or lives thousands of miles away, or an estrangement separates you? Who can gather you up when the need is great?
