A mother is much more than just a woman who conceives and gives birth to a child.

It means sacrificing everything for them and giving them all the love you have in your heart, and then some. It takes patience and perseverance. Who else would chase away the scary creatures that live in the closet with a homemade monster spray? Only a mother would.

But no matter how much our mothers want to protect us from the bullies and dangers of life, tragedy inevitably comes.

My relationship with my mother is a perfect example. About a year ago, I had to deal with an odd tragedy. I was a junior in college and headed home for Christmas vacation. I was excited to be with my family after having just finished up a difficult week of finals.

My mom picked me up from the Washington D.C. Dulles Airport, and we decided to stop at the mall on the way home. I don’t remember much, but I have been told that I fainted and hit my head on the wall and then the floor of the mall. I was taken to the hospital in an ambulance. I wasn’t conscious but I knew my mother was there for me.

At the hospital, I learned that I had fractured my skull. The crack was about an inch long and went all the way through the bone. I also had brain swelling and had blood and brain fluid leaking out of my ear. The doctors were concerned about my brain so I was life flighted in a helicopter to a hospital that had a neurosurgeon.

I spent the next couple of days hooked up to monitors and continually poked and prodded. My mom was there with me the whole time. I could feel the love she had for me, even though I was barely aware of my surroundings.

I had never realized how much my mom did for me before that trial. She sacrificed everything for me over the next couple of months. She slept on the floor of my room for a month just to make sure I was okay when I was sleeping.

I never knew how strong my mom’s love for me was until I had faced the possibility of dying and having to leave her behind. Like most mothers, she doesn’t know I am aware of the prayers she pleads on my behalf. She doesn’t know how thankful I am for all of her sacrifice.

My mom, and millions of other mothers, are there to lift us when life seems impossible to get through.

Who else would be willing to trade places with you so you wouldn’t have to endure the heartache and pain of a tragedy? Only a mother would.

So daughters and sons, be good to your mothers. After all, our mothers have done more for us than we will ever know.