The mother's yearning, that completest type of the life in another life which is the essence of real human love, feels the presence of the cherished child even in the debased, degraded man.

George Eliot 1819-80:Adam Bede (1859)

If I were damned of body and soul, I know whose prayers would make me whole, Mother O' mine, O mother o' mine.

Rudyard Kipling 1865-1936: The light That Failed (1891)

Here's the happiest years of our lives spent in the arms of other men' s wives.Gentlemen! _ Our mothers!

proposing a toast
Edwin Lutyens 1869-1944: Clough Williams-Ellis Architect Earrant (1971)

No matter how old a mother is she watches her middle-age children for signs of improvement.

Florida Scott-Maxwell: Measure of my Days (1968)

It is a dead-end job. You've no sooner learned the skills than you are redundant.

on motherhood
Claire Rayner 1931 - :in Guardian 15 December 1960

I have reach the age when a woman begins to percieve that she is growing into

I've kissed the moon a million times
Danced with angels in the sky
I've seen snowfall in the summertime
Felt the healing of the powers above

I've seen the world from the highest mountain
Tasted love from the purest fountain
I've seen lips that spark desire
Felt the butterflies a hundred times

I've even seen miracles
I've felt the pain disappear
But still haven't seen anything
That amazes me quite like you do

You bring me up when I'm feeling down
you touch me deep you touch me right
You do the things I've never done
You make me wicked you make me wild
'Cause baby, you're my #1

I've sailed in a perfect dream
I've seen the sun make love to the sea
I've kissed the moon a million times
Danced with angels in the sky

I've even seen miracles
I've seen the tears disappear
But I still haven't seen anything
That amazes me quite like you do