And if you didn’t exist, tell me why I’d exist… We all recognize these words from Dassin’s song, which are usually directed at a loved one. Well, I sing these words thinking of my children.
Once they’ve entered our lives, the love that flows from them is infinite. All our attention is focused on them. We make sacrifices based on their needs. We don’t mind giving up that last piece of bear paw cake we’d have loved to eat. We don’t care if a sweater gets ruined by milk, mashed potatoes, or drool—even if it was “THE” sweater, our favorite, the one that fits us best. We even put our social life on hold. We become blind, as they say. A mother’s love is stronger than anything—but above all, more powerful than illness and even beyond death.
Did we ever think we’d find a love, a bond, this strong? I doubt it. We need to savor those thousands of hugs, those kisses, and say “I love you” just like that, without expecting anything in return. We need to let these little ones know just how much we love them—that we’ll always be there to protect them as best we can. Often, it takes next to nothing: a word or a small gesture can make all the difference and create a memory that will stay with them forever.
Love gives hope and cures boredom. All of this may sound intense, but in reality, all it takes is believing in it and putting it into practice in our daily lives. These few words you’ve just read are here to help us realize just how lucky we are. Nothing scientific—just the sentiment of a mom who strongly believes that with love, we can move mountains. If you’ve taken a moment to read this, I’d be thrilled to see this chain of love grow.
Believing in a better world filled with kindness and love for future generations—the people our children will grow up with. Values that span the centuries…
Phew! I probably should’ve had just one cup of coffee this morning, instead of a third. 🙂 I hope, nonetheless, that reading about a mother’s love has been a comfort in these turbulent times.
Sometimes the unthinkable happens: the loss of a child. The pain is impossible to hide. Feelings of anger and helplessness course through our minds, bodies, and hearts. The circumstances of their death and those final moments with them will remain etched in our memories forever. Words fail us so completely—it must be unbearable. Our love: the only lifeline to cling to…
I wrote this after the events in Saint-Apollinaire, where two lovely little girls met a horrific end. I was inspired to write this after hearing their mother’s words on TV: “I love you madly, I love you infinitely.” I had a hard time listening to her until the end. I’m certainly not the only one. This horrible story has shaken everyone. All that remains is love, resilience, and a great deal of courage for this family, broken forever. My deepest sympathies go out to their mother, Amélie, and I wish I could take away some of her pain in the face of this ordeal that no mother should ever have to endure.