Miroslava Bondeva
One year ago, my mother had to leave our home and work in another country due to financial difficulties of my family. My father, mother, and I were separated and lived in three different places, far away from one another. My mother called me often, but she never complained about her work or shared any of her difficulties. Sometimes when our phone calls were very short, she always told me, “I just wanted to hear your voice and know if you are alright. I love you.” At the time, I did not realize her unconditional love and hidden suffering.
A few weeks ago, my mother came to my place and stayed for a couple of days. During her stay at my place, she made a confession which broke my heart. She told me that one month after she started her job in the foreign country, she fell and cut her leg on a sharp object. It was a big wound which needed stitches. However, she could not have stitches without anesthesia because she was a foreigner. So in the end, she had stitches without anesthesia and she was in terrible pain. Then she also told me, with a smile on her face, that for some time after her surgery she could not walk. But even then, she did not want to tell me or my father because we would be concerned and worry about her.
After I heard from her, I was so sad. But once again, I realized how great the love and sacrifice of a mother is. All mothers always hide their pain and joyfully smile in front of their children; all mothers always care for their children even if they [mothers] are beyond exhausted; and all mothers always listen to their children and console them even if they [mothers] do not have anyone to relieve their own burden.
Today I thought of Heavenly Mother who left the heavenly home and came to this earth in the flesh to find and save Her lost children. Every day Heavenly Mother is in terrible pain, with countless wounds caused by our grievous sins, but She never complains and always greets us with a bright and warm smile. Her heart is filled with unconditional love for all Her children, but sometimes we do not realize that. Heavenly Father must be heartbroken when He sees how immaturely we behave toward Mother who is silently suffering. I feel truly sorry to Heavenly Father and Mother.
I hope that I will truly realize Heavenly Father and Mother’s great sacrifice and unconditional love for us and always follow Them with a heart full of gratitude.