Mother’s Day changed six years ago. One of my patients, Mrs. M., passed away from cancer. I was pregnant – very pregnant – with my first child at the time I was caring for her as she received a very difficult biotherapy regimen. Unfortunately, the treatment proved too toxic for her advanced-disease systems, and her health status declined rapidly. She died two days before Mother’s Day.

As is customary for oncology nurses, I had gotten to know her and her family well. With one hand pressing my strained lumbar spine and the other resting on my pregnant belly, life teeming within me – ready to enter the world, I stood by Mrs. M.’s son who stood by her still body. It had been a long night, but now, the sunlight poured into the room from the window behind him. He talked about how great his mom was and how Mother’s Day would never be the same. Love was palpable. I unsuccessfully tried to swallow the lump in my throat. With tears streaming down both our faces, he held his mom’s hand and offered six words that still make my heart ache – “You’re gonna be a great mom.”

Believe it or not, I thought of Mrs. M. soon after I delivered my own son – two days after Mother’s Day. I hoped her son’s words were true for me and my own son. I hoped so many things at that moment, and I still do. I have thought of Mrs. M. and her son every Mother’s Day since that year.

And as I think of her, I think of my own journey throughout motherhood as well as my mom who has been a tower of love and encouragement. Today, I celebrate Mrs. M. I celebrate my own amazing mother. I celebrate myself. I celebrate you. Happy Mother’s Day.