“Men are what their mothers made them.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

My mother, Linda, raised me solo. She loved me. I was the light in her life, her best friend, the reason she worked multiple jobs and was tired all the time. Little did I understand this, though: all I knew is that she was wonderful and that, though poor, we had a rich life—rich with visits to museums, walking (we didn’t have a car, tv, presents, chips, soda like my other friends for many years), friends, community (I was raised in the Buddhist community in Boulder, Colorado, then Vermont).

When I remember my childhood, I remember smiling. And though I was proud and intelligent and sensitive and insecure, none of my faults were her fault. All my strengths were to her credit. For hers was a force of love and relaxation and good simple taste and curiosity and love of learning. I read lots and we had a garden, a puppy, two cats, a good home until we more or less lost it.

She did her best, and her best was the best.

I love you, mommy.

Yours,

Waylon.

I remember my mother’s prayers and they have always followed me. They have clung to me all my life.” – Abraham Lincoln

“My mother was the most beautiful woman I ever saw. All I am I owe to my mother. I attribute all my success in life to the moral, intellectual and physical education I received from her.” – George Washington

“There is no doubt that it is around the family and the home that all the greatest virtues, the most dominating virtues of human society, are created, strengthened and maintained” – Winston Churchill

Bonus images:

elephants have only 10 years left in the wild, according to most reports. A child without its mother doesn’t have a chance in the wild. Even in civilization, we humans have a deep, urgent need for the influence of a strong, loving mother.

Tyger, Tyger: Mothers don’t just nurture and love, they tough love. They keep the peace, and enforce discipline firmly but gently.

Bambi’s mother: Mothers watch out for us. My mom moved me from school to school so that I’d always have a good education, good teachers. While moving was tough in some ways, she taught me that I was special, intelligent, and to have high expectations of myself and my life.

More famous mothers.