A Mother's Love

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:38-39 


Have you ever read The Giving Tree, by Shel Silverstein? It's a beautiful story about a relationship between a tree and a little boy. The tree always provides the boy with everything he desires: branches on which to swing, shade in which to sit, apples to eat, branches with which to build a home. As the boy grows older he requires more and more of the tree. The tree loves the boy very much and gives him anything he asks for. In the ultimate act of self-sacrifice, the tree lets the boy cut it down so the boy can build a boat in which he can sail. The boy leaves the tree, now a stump. Many years pass, and then the boy, now an old man, returns. The tree says, "I have nothing left to give you." She is sad that she feels she has nothing left to give. The boy replies, "I do not need much now, just a quiet place to sit and rest." The tree then says, "Well, an old tree stump is a good place for sitting and resting. Come boy, sit down and rest." The boy obliged and the tree was happy.
The tree derived so much joy just from taking care of the boy, she seems to define selflessness. The book to me symbolizes the love of a mother, the laying down of your own life for your child's benefit.  Since becoming a mother myself, I am slowly starting to understand this love - maybe the closest thing resembling Christ-like love on earth. 
We lost my Mom this week.  

She loved just like the tree - selflessly and joyfully. I will miss her always.