A supporter, a shield, a safe space – endless words and emotions encapsulated in the word ‘mother.’ To celebrate Mother’s Day 2026, we asked people about their fondest memories with their mothers. Here’s what they had to share.
No matter which part of the world you’re from, the language you speak, the age you are or the path your life is taking right now, the love of a mother remains the same, always and forever.
Whether you’re fortunate to still have your mother in your life or you have precious memories to hold on to, the fondness that blooms in your heart when you think of the woman who gave life to you is a feeling that’s often unmatched.
To mark Mother’s Day, we asked our readers to share the fondest memories they have with their mothers. From mundane moments shared together and sweet little anecdotes from years long gone by to heartwarming instances of innocent, unwavering love, here’s what they had to say.
On unfailing routines
Mothers and their way of care offers a warming consistence you rarely get anywhere else. Take contributor Alisha whose mum has never failed to pack lunch for her.
She says, “My mom has never ever let me go to school without a lunchbox, even when it was the Results Day and we had to go for just an hour. I’m I’m 31 now, a lecturer. I still go to college and she still makes me breakfast and lunch everyday without fail, no matter what.”
On quietly spent quality time
Spending time with your mom rarely requires grand plans. Instead its rooted in a cherished simplicity.
As Arundathy Bharadwaj recalls, “Mom and I would go for grocery shopping together every weekend to the local bazaar. On our way back we would also enjoy street food like vada and bhajiya. They were freshly fried and served. I still cherish those little joys which I shared with mom.”
Another contributor Hiranshi also mentions shopping as her favourite thing to do with her mother. She says, “Shopping with her. There is literally no one else I have found to shop with in the way that I do with my mom. It’s fun, accepting, encouraging and very, very generous.”
On being the shield you need
A mother is most often the embodiment of gentle hands and a concerned heart. Yet, when something threatens you, the softness and concern sharpens into something fierce and impenetrable.
Sunitha Viswanaathan recalls, “I still remember the day my mother and I went shopping together. On our way back, a stranger tried to trouble us, and my mother confronted him firmly, with calm yet fearless determination. In that single, unforgettable moment, her protective, courageous love wrapped around me like a shield, making me feel deeply safe and proud to be her daughter. It inspired me to believe that even in ordinary moments, we can find the strength to stand tall and act bravely when something wrong happens.”
On the other side of this fearlessness, a mother also exudes steadfast protectiveness with purity as Anjali Gurjar says, ” I don’t have much financial support from my partner, my mother is my strength. The one who is always who tells me that everything she has is mine. I love her beyond words can express.”
On habits you pick up
We all internalise habits, quirks or life lessons we observe from our mothers – often unconsciously becoming a version of her, thus understanding just that little bit more. Dr. Anushree Thareja notes one such habit of her mother’s – one she was annoyed by as a child – that’s now she picked up herself.
She says, “My mother has a habit of putting bindis that she removes on the mirror. I would find it funny and annoying as a kid because the mirror was full of bindis. But, now I have started doing the same. Only, the size is different. It reminds me of a simple way in which we become like our mothers as we grow older and in this becoming we begin to truly understand her struggles and strength.”
On genuine support
A mother will always be proud of what you do. Telling everyone who will listen about the smallest achievements you’ve made. To her, you are the best at everything, because you are the best thing that’s happened to her.
Shannon Ridge Court‘s story is the perfect example of innocent and unconditional love and support your mother gives you. He recalls, “I remember being excited that I had become a Facebook sensation in 2014; I was in Liverpool, completing a theatre internship. I uploaded a bunch of photos from my experience to Facebook. An hour later, I had suddenly received over 1,500 notifications! I congratulated myself, “You cracked the code to go viral! People notice what you post!” However, it was my mother who had liked every picture and commented on almost all. She was responsible for the enormous surge in notifications!”
Back then Shannon who had wanted to be seen as popular and be noticed for the efforts he put into his posts saw his mother’s likes as “pity likes.”But now, a decade later where meaningful connection means more than validation to Shannon, those likes from his mother hold a much deeper meaning.
He says, “I’ve realised that validation and engagement are more meaningful when they come from those we care for and who care about us. My mother still likes all my posts and engages in what I do in life. I feel heard and seen. Her “pity likes” are now seen as “real likes,” and I appreciate and look forward to them.”
On being a safe space
Mothers can enforce discipline with an iron hand that can feel stifling when you’re young, but how does that relationship change as you both age?
Dr. Riddhima Bose shares, “My mother was once the Chief Justice of our house. Discipline was her love language. Bedtime at 9 meant 9, not 9:01. But somewhere between my teenage drama and emotional breakdowns over life, she slowly transformed from a strict commander into my closest friend. Now we gossip like college roommates. She steals my clothes and sends me questionable WhatsApp reels at midnight.”
Her mother’s strictness that once stifled Riddhima are now memories for both of them to look back on and find humour in. She says, “We laugh about the days she confiscated my phone for “ruining my future,” while she herself is now addicted to online shopping and YouTube recipes. Ironically, the woman I feared the most became the safest place I know with extra snacks included.”
What’s your fondest memory with your mother? Tell us on Instagram. Visit Lyrical Muse for more uplifting stories from around the world.
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