DP Challenge – Mothering / Sunday Post – Mothers Day

“Mother’s love is peace.  It need not be acquired, it need not be deserved.”

Erich Fromm

NURTURING

The Daily Post is having a week featuring photography – how nice for  those of us who post our photographs as a general rule.  Today, not surprisingly, we are to post about mothering.  Rather than join those who choose photos of human mothers and children, I have decided to feature some of the beautiful examples of mothering I’ve found among our friends in the animal kingdom.

LEARNING TO WALK

“God could not be everywhere, therefore he created mothers.”

David C. Gross

NURSING DOLPHIN CALF

A mothers’ role appears to be the same among most all species.  After giving birth, a mother nourishes her young until they are able to provide for themselves (which happens much earlier in the animal kingdom!), teaches them the skills they need to survive, and sets an example (hopefully) for them to follow – as all children learn best by emulating their parents.

TALLEST MOM

“Oh you mothers…..God knew what He was about when He made you!”

L.M. Montgomery

A mother is also a fierce protector, especially in species like lions and alligators where fathers are known to practice infanticide.  Be you father, friend or stranger, do not even think about threatening the life of a child whose mother is anywhere nearby unless you are willing to fight to the death.

KEEPING WATCH

“Mothers most of all carry the key to our souls in their bosoms.”

Oliver Wendell Holmes

Birds too, follow the intrinsic rules of motherhood, nesting, carefully tending their eggs, feeding their helpless babies first with regurgitated food and later with pieces of fish or small animals, and finally teaching them the glory of flight.  Would that all children might be as well-equipped to leave the nest as effectively as our feathered friends 🙂

MOTHER HERON WITH CHICKS

“There is an instinct in a mother to love most her own child.  And an instinct to make any child who needs her love her own.”

Robert Brault

I lost my own mom years ago, altho of course the best of her is with me always.  Kristin Hannah said “A daughter without her mother is a woman broken.  It is a loss that turns to arthritis and settles deep into her bones.”  Cherish your mother, and mothers everywhere on this day and all others. Love their strengths and forgive their shortcomings, as you know they do yours.

MOTHER’S MILK

 

Because this is a special DP Challenge week for photography you’ll be seeing more of me than usual – so apologies in advance if you’re overwhelmed 🙂  And a special shout out to Viveka, The Seeker, for nominating me with a “Thank You For Being There” award.  What a lovely idea Viveka!  Have a click on the link to enjoy some of Viveka’s thoughtful posts.

To see more DP challenge Mother entries, go here.  For more of Jake’s Sunday post entries on Mother Day, go here. 

Tags: mother

• May 12, 2013
• DP Challenge, Photography, Sunday Post, Weekly Challenge
• 80 Comments