Traditionally, Mothers are women who inhabit or perform the role of bearing some relation to their children. Mothers can be biological, adoptive, step or even punitive. We all know that motherhood is not restricted to whom you have parented; it’s a woman’s universal symbol for unconditional love.

You may not be a mother, but you’ve certainly been a daughter and within the confines of womanhood lies the incomparable ability to nurture, rear, cultivate and encourage others. We are essentially not only the backbone of society, but the true giver of all life. With that immense responsibility comes boundless highs and unspeakable lows.

I watched my friend bury her 18-year old son today.

I watched as she mustered every bit of strength in her body to give him the proper tribute and eulogy he so deserved. This is what moms do. This is what women do.

I watched her carry the weight of a thousand sorrows, finding a way to put one foot in front of the other, passing his sweet face as she made her way from the pew to the pulpit. I wondered how she could communicate to her body that her legs needed to comply. I watched this mom, this woman, find the courage and conviction to rise and move.

What she did next was a truly astounding. Her words were meant to soothe others. Her voice purposed to calm those who were grieving. Her smile while recollecting the beauty of her child was aimed to lessen the hurt of those around her. This is what moms do. This is what women do.

It didn’t matter what color he was or the circumstances surrounding his passing; the grief of a mother is collective. I imagine that if you felt an inexplicable twinge of pain in your body yesterday, it was perhaps her anguish traveling through all of us, as I believe we are all connected.

We make the choice to put someone’s happiness and well-being ahead of our own. All love begins and ends here with us; women.

Today, I watched my friend bury her child with grace, compassion and the courage of a thousand men. All love begins and ends here with us; women.