I also find myself always wanting to give a senior person a hand or give up my seat. Never met a senior citizen I couldn’t talk to and I finally figured out why: because my sensitivity and dedication to my own Mother as she grows old has made me more sensitive and caring toward those in their jubilee years.

My Mother, now in her 80’s, is sweet and adorable and is in much more need of her children than ever before. Yes, she gives the impression that she’s still tough and independent, but the simple things remind me that she’s getting older and that I need to enjoy every waking moment with her.

Knowing that we all have an anointed time on this earth I make each day and moment count with my Mother and other mothers that have mentored me along the way. Every morning without interruption, at 5 AM I call my Mother and it’s as if she’s hearing from me for the first time. She’s having cataract surgery soon and I made it clear that I would be home to be by her side. Her response, “son, I sure appreciate it.”

The sadness of all of this is that so many sons and daughters these days go through life never understanding what it means to really have loved and been loved unconditionally by the progenitors of our society. The Bible’s definition of love could not have described a mother’s love for her children more poignantly.

My siblings and I never have to wonder where our blessing lies in life because just hearing her gentle voice or seeing her caring face is a reminder of all the love we’ve received. In my lifetime, I have seen five of the original seven wonders of the world: Taj Mahal, the Pyramids, the ruins of the Parthenon, the Great Wall of China, and what’s left of the hanging gardens of Babylon. Those are incredible and magnificent creations, but I’ve concluded that the greatest wonder of them all is a Mother’s love.