American Icons: Mothers

Mom - she’s the one person who has known you longer than anyone else. For nine months she carried you in her womb, forming an instant, unspoken bond.

But that connection did not stop there. She fed you; bathed you; swaddled you; read to you; ran with you; and loved you, long before you knew what the word love even meant.

Perhaps the most famous mom in recent memory is Mother Teresa. While her name may seem like a misnomer – she never bore any children – nothing could be further from the truth.

She gave of herself, like any mother does. And she continued to give. And she gave some more. Her work was extraordinary; over 67 years ago she started her missionary work. By 1950, she had founded what would become the Missionaries of Charity, serving the poorest of the poor. Today, it tends to those with HIV/AIDS, leprosy and tuberculosis. They care for the homeless, orphans and those unable to afford medical care.

While Mother Teresa’s work stands out for its breadth of kindness, there are many unsung mothers who go about their duties in similar fashion – constantly giving of themselves- with little to any recognition.

There are single mothers, working two, sometimes three jobs at a time just to provide for their children.

There are mothers excelling in their chosen field – Margaret Thatcher (politics), J.K. Rowling (writing) and Melinda Gates (business) – while still meeting the demands of raising a child.

There are mothers who clean, who cook, who sing, who dance, who make us better people because they are our moms.

This week, AmericanSunglass salutes the famous moms and the not-so-famous moms, and all the moms in between.  And we thank them for doing all the things necessary to make our lives a little (and sometimes a lot) brighter.

And for those who want to return the favor, we carry an array of products that will make this Mother’s Day special for the most important person in your life. There is Tiffany when you want just the best for mom; Prada when you want mom to feel good about herself; and Maui Jim when you want mom to have some fun.

Whatever you decide to do this Sunday, make sure you take time to celebrate your mother. And take a moment to thank her. She’s your mom. And she’s an icon.

Words of an Icon: “Love as powerful as your mother’s for you leaves its own mark… to have been loved so deeply… will give us some protection forever.” – J.K. Rowling