Last October, I went to the city in South Korea where my mother was born.

I strolled through an open air market where farmers sold produce and other products they had raised or made. As I walked I caught a sight of an elderly woman, causing me to imagine my mom visiting the same market many years ago. My eyes filled with tears thinking about how much I missed her.

My mom was such a hard worker. When my father died; leaving her with five children to raise, she did all sorts of odd-jobs just so we would have food to eat.

One of those jobs was selling vegetables to other women for their families. So when I saw that elderly woman selling vegetables, I was reminded of the willing and loving sacrifices my mom made for me and my siblings.

Mothers are a precious gift. This Mother’s Day, honor the women who have mothered you and treat them with all the tender, loving care in the world.