I recall a past article in The Towerlight that I feel fitting to reflect in this month of Mother’s Day.

The article really amazed and humbled me as an instructor and as the son of a wonderful mother.

From what I remember, it related the struggles, hard work, and commitment of our students who are mothers with children. These student “moms” undertake the daunting responsibility of jobs, a rigorous course load, and the care and nurture of their children. I find this level of commitment absolutely amazing and it personally gives me a deeper sense of appreciation for my mother, not just on Mother’s Day, but every day!

The phenomenon of motherhood has always fascinated me as a psychologist.

Parental behavior, in general, is not frequently seen in mammals. In spite of this, research does suggest various neurobiological correlates of maternal behavior. Functional imaging studies, for example, have indicated that limbic and midbrain areas that become active during rewarding situations also become active when mothers are in contact with their children.

The phenomenon of motherhood has also fascinated me as a person.

The source of this fascination is my own mother, Delores. I have a favorite picture of her and me taken on the balcony area of the Union that overlooks Enrollment Services in the distance.

This was taken years before Millennium Hall was built. In fact, it was taken when I was in eighth grade during a science fair that Towson (then Towson State University) was hosting.

My mom had taken care of her mother who had Alzheimer’s disease, and when this picture was taken her mother had passed away recently.

Nevertheless she always (and has always) thought of others before herself and was there to cheer me on at the science fair.

She would go on to take care of her father, be an amazing sister to her brothers, be a caring and loving wife, and to raise/educate me.

Though I might be biased, I want to say simply that my mother is the most amazing person I have known. I always want her to know how important she is and how amazing!

Our students who are mothers, who have not one, but multiple, full-time jobs are an inspiration and are amazing. One does not have to be a psychologist, therefore, to be amazed by motherhood. I am amazed by it everyday.

I am amazed by it by thinking about my mother. Moreover, I am amazed by it in the sacrifices made by our students who are mothers themselves. So, to my mom and all our mothers, Happy Mother’s Day!