Dr. Moffitt reflects on the majesty of motherhood as his family celebrates this Mother’s Day with the arrival of a new family member

Today I was sitting next to my wife of 39 years in silence watching her hold my newborn granddaughter, born just two days ago.

I was overwhelmed by how peaceful and right that moment was.

I realized that I have spent the vast majority of every waking moment for the past 30 years trying to give that moment to others, but I had forgotten the wonder of it. The miracle of it.

This Mother’s Day I am looking back at the many, many amazing patients that have come into my life. They have brought their struggles, sorrows and frustrations to me. It’s comforting to know that so many of them have probably sat, as I was able to today, and felt how peaceful and right that moment is.

That moment is worth every other moment in the quest of it.

We choose as a society to celebrate Mothers. We also celebrate Fathers but let’s face it, there is so much more magic and majesty to Motherhood.

I have many patients who must face the difficult reality that they or their partner no longer have the egg or sperm supply necessary to conceive a child. Faced with that choice, they are unable to open their heart to the idea of using eggs or sperm from someone kind enough to donate to help others form or build their family. Their partner has so much love for them that they can’t imagine having a baby that isn’t in part from the one they love. The patient can’t imagine having a baby that isn’t part of them.

As I look back on the images I was blessed to see and share the last two days between my son, his beautiful wife and their miracle baby, I realize that the beauty and wonder of motherhood has little to do with egg and sperm and has everything to do with the baby and the incredible process of life, birth, nurturing, and loving.

These are the things that bring the magic and majesty to motherhood. This is what we celebrate on Mother’s Day. These are the things that bring those moments of realization – of what is the source of peace and right in the world – even if it is for just a moment.