In various ways, times and places, Mother's Day has been celebrated across the world for over 100 years.
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This coming Sunday will be yet another opportunity to recognise and remember the extraordinary role of all mothers in our lives and in society as a whole.
Of course, there are the women who brought us to birth - our own mothers both living and dead, especially those who died when we were children.
Mothers for whom our love and care will never die.
But motherhood doesn't stop there.
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There are step mothers, grandmothers and great grandmothers, foster mothers and mothers-in-law, as well as those lovely women who have contributed to the nurture, life and wellbeing of children not their own.
Whatever the role or the title, mothering and motherhood have their foundations deep within the psyche of all the women involved.
Unlike practically every other vocation in life, there is no "piece of paper" setting out the prerequisites and ensuring that the lady in question is well prepared for the changes in her lifestyle, career and untrodden pathway.
At the same time as we recall the loving and wonderful mothers in our own lives, we also need to spare a thought for single mothers, women in fractured marriages and those women who have become the victims of domestic violence and other criminal behavior.
Somehow, Mother's Day has both a glad side and a sad side for a lot of people.
Raising children can be challenging.
Mothers and fathers don't always know what their children, especially teenagers, are up to until some crisis happens and the police are knocking on the door.
Mothering, and fathering too, have never simply be a short-term task!
Also on this occasion, we are reminded of the thousands of children, separated from families and seeking asylum across the world.
While the family from Biloela in detention on Christmas Island have their mum and dad there with them, it would be naive to suggest that it is an opportune situation in which to nurture and parent those little children.
My mind boggles at the length of time it takes our government departments to process the paperwork necessary to free these people, and others from so many years of hardship and uncertainty.
We must never forget our Indigenous brothers and sisters either, who were the victims of the Stolen Generation.
Their mothers had an entire lifetime of sadness.
At the present time, with the coronavirus so virulent and devastating in so many parts of the world, it is frightening that several thousand Australian citizens are currently unable to return from India because of travel restrictions.
Mother's Day for them will hardly be a celebration.
Surely, they could be more appropriately isolated back home here in Australia with access to proper antiviral treatment in safe surroundings.
So, let us look at the big picture drawn for Mother's Day, bring our best wishes and loving greetings to all mothers everywhere, and relish happy memories, while at the same time offering love, compassion and understanding to all mothers for whom this day is a sad one.
Happy Mothers Day.