A Mother's Love—A Gift That Never Leaves Us

A mother’s love is a force that lingers, even when she is not near. – Issue #14 - Saira The Poet

“We will always remember so well, and cherish our mother's love and friendship as one of the best we have ever known.”

Not all of us are mothers, but we have all been shaped by one. Whether through love, sacrifice, or resilience, the presence—or absence—of a mother figure leaves a lasting mark.

For many, a mother is a source of unwavering support, the quiet strength behind every success, the comfort in every heartbreak. For others, the relationship is complex, shaped by struggle, distance, or loss. But no matter the experience, a mother’s influence is undeniable.

There was a time I didn’t fully grasp the depth of a mother’s love—the silent sacrifices, the endless patience, the strength it takes to give so much of oneself. But as I grew, I began to see it in the small things. In the way she remembered the little details. In the quiet moments of care, even when unspoken.

I share today’s poem as a tribute to a love that never fades. In honour of Mother’s Day, which falls on Sunday here in the UK, we’ll explore the strength, sacrifice, and tenderness of a mother’s love—through poetry, reflection, and community.

Today’s poem, Mums Are Forever, is a reflection on this enduring love—the way it lingers in our hearts, in our choices, and in the lessons we carry forward.

To all the superhero mothers, grandmothers, aunts, and role models who care for and love us every day—today, we celebrate you.

They are heroines, conquerors, role models, worthy, champions, doctors, teachers, nurses, cooks, multitaskers, providers, defenders, protectors—true superwomen wearing their capes proudly.

The Superheroes of a lifetime. They stand tall and proud, spreading their wings.

Happy Mother’s Day!

“We are born of love; love is our mother.” – Rumi

Thank you for reading.

🪶Poem of the Week

Here’s an excerpt of Mums Are Forever from The Death of a Beautiful Dream:

Mums always remember so well

all the things they did together with their children.

All the subjects they discussed.

All the fun they had.

Mums always remember how

their love and friendship

is such a stabilising force

during all the hard times in their lives.

This poem reflects on the unbreakable bond between a mother and child. Even as we grow, even when distance separates us, the love of a mother remains.

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🤱🏻Behind The Poem

I wrote Mums Are Forever as a reflection on how a mother’s love extends beyond time, distance, and circumstances.

Growing up, I didn’t always recognise the weight of my mother’s sacrifices. The things she did for us weren’t always spoken about, and at the time, they seemed like ordinary acts of care—packing meals, staying up late when we were sick, remembering the little things we loved. But as I got older, I began to see them differently.

They weren’t just acts of care; they were acts of strength, resilience, and unconditional love.

My mother had a quiet strength, one that didn’t need to be loud to be powerful. She taught me that love isn’t just in grand gestures—it’s in the way she stood by us, even when she was exhausted. It’s in the way she never let her own struggles stop her from making sure we had everything we needed.

One of the greatest lessons she ever taught me was the importance of patience and faith—that even in the hardest moments, there is wisdom in perseverance. She always told me, “Things will fall into place in their own time.” And even now, when life feels uncertain, I hold on to that lesson.

Mums Are Forever was written as a tribute to the kind of love that stays with us no matter how much time passes. It’s for the mothers who gave endlessly, for the moments we didn’t fully appreciate until later, and for the lessons that continue to shape us long after we’ve left childhood behind.

Even now, when I draw on strength to heal, I realise it was hers I learned from first.

What’s a lesson from your mother that you carry with you? What’s a memory that reminds you of a mother’s love?

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✍🏻This Week's Writing Prompt

Share your prompt answer by Wednesday to be featured in next week's issue.

Reflect on a time when you realised the true impact of a mother figure’s presence—or absence—in your life.

• They say hindsight is 20/20. Looking back, have you ever come to truly understand a mother’s love—or the impact of her absence?

• Can you recall a moment when her presence—or absence—changed your path?

• Has there been a lesson or gesture from your mother that left a lasting imprint on your growth?

• What is one piece of advice or quiet strength you carry with you because of her?

• Looking back, how has her influence shaped who you are today?

• If you could honour your mother’s love by passing on one lesson to someone else, what would it be?

Write a few sentences (or more) about the role a mother—or mother figure—has played in your life, the lessons you’ve learned from her, and how her presence (or absence) has shaped who you are today.

Challenge: Share your story in 200-300 words.

Want to be featured? Send in your story by Wednesday, and I’ll highlight a few in the next issue!

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🤩 Community Spotlight!

I’ll try to feature the best 2-3 responses each week here, with special shoutout in the newsletter! If this week’s prompt inspires you, reply to this email.

Today we have:

1️⃣

Kassi Wilson

"This is a wonderful message of wisdom that must have shaped you! I relate to the desire to want to cling onto people when they are not meant to stay."

My thoughts:

Kassi’s words capture a universal truth—our natural instinct to hold onto people, even when their presence is no longer meant for us. It's a difficult lesson to learn, but an important one. Understanding that some people are only meant to walk with us for a season allows us to embrace change and growth instead of resistance.

Her reflection reminds us that wisdom often comes through experience—the moments when we finally accept that letting go is sometimes the best way forward. Thank you for your beautiful insight, Kassi! 💛

2️⃣

Astrid Sadaya

"I love how the quote 'Poetry begins in delight, and ends in wisdom' also implies how some people come into our lives beautifully, end up hurting us, but leave us with more lessons and values. One example at the top of my head was when I had jumped into a relationship too early, and it left me believing in a life that we just fantasized but was just a facade. I ended up drowning in the darkest moment in my life, but that led me to truly love myself and learn to forgive."

My thoughts:

Astrid’s reflection on Robert Frost’s quote is deeply moving. Her words remind us that not all experiences that begin with joy end the same way—but even in pain, there is wisdom. Sometimes, the relationships we once saw as dreams reveal themselves as illusions. But through heartbreak, we find clarity, self-love, and the ability to forgive.

Her journey is a powerful testament to resilience and personal growth. Learning to love oneself after experiencing deep hurt is no small feat, and her insight beautifully echoes the theme of this week's issue—how the footprints left behind, even the painful ones, can guide us to a stronger version of ourselves. Thank you, Astrid, for sharing your powerful story. ✨

3️⃣

Anna Luna-Raven

"I love how you said some people are not meant to stay, because it is true. We often have friends who move on, and we too move on—life happens. But maybe someday we cross paths again, and we can start creating new footprints. You know the quote—if you love them, let them go, and if they come back, they’re yours forever. Maybe too, we won’t, and we just have to learn to be okay with that. It’s a sad feeling, having to let go, but it will all work out for the best in the end. As they say too, we have friends for either a reason, a season, or a lifetime. It’s very rare to have lifetime friends, and we should consider ourselves blessed and treasure them when we do find one. If it's not, then we thank the reason and celebrate each season while they're there."

My thoughts:

Anna’s words beautifully capture the reality of friendships and relationships—how they evolve, change, and sometimes fade, but always leave an imprint. Her reflection on "a reason, a season, or a lifetime" is a poignant reminder that not everyone who enters our lives is meant to stay forever, but each presence holds value.

She highlights the importance of embracing the seasons of connection rather than clinging to permanence. Some friendships return, others do not, but each one shapes our journey in a meaningful way. Thank you, Anna, for your heartfelt and profound insight! 💛

4️⃣

Samantha G

"I love this poem about footprints Saira, I wrote something about footprints a while ago. It was about how we walk through life, on earth and we wear shoes or in bare feet and we never pay attention to the trail of footprints we leave behind us, but I feel that although footprints are erased as the soil regenerates itself, earth remembers and so too as we walk through each other’s lives we leave footprints, sometimes we tread lightly, sometimes we stomp all over each other's hearts and although time passes, our hearts remember. So I think it is important to remember that, every footprint is sacred and we must treat it as such.

Just like I refer to you as my Substack sibling, because your footprints of friendship and the kindness you've shown me since I joined has been a saving grace and you are a blessing. Thank you for another beautiful poem @sairathepoet 🥰🌻👣"

My thoughts:

Samantha’s comment reads like a poem in itself—rich with imagery and wisdom. Her beautiful metaphor of the earth remembering our footprints mirrors how hearts carry the imprint of every connection, gentle or heavy.

Her mention of sacred footprints and her kind words about our Substack friendship truly touched me. It’s a reminder that poetry doesn’t just live in lines—it lives in the spaces we share with others. Thank you, Samantha, for your warmth and your presence here.

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🆕 Updates & Requests

• The Death of a Beautiful Dream: Have you read my debut book yet? If you haven’t yet, get a copy today! If you have, is there a poem that particularly resonated with you? Share your favourite quote or moment from the book by commenting below or replying to this email.

• The eBook reviews: Those of you that have downloaded and read the eBook, it would be amazing if you would share your thoughts and reviews with me by leaving a comment below or replying to the newsletter.

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📚Recommendations

1. Book: The Book of Mother by Violaine Huisman- A moving novel exploring the complexities of mother-daughter relationships.

2. Poem: To My Mother by Edgar Allan Poe– A heartfelt tribute to a mother’s love.

3. Tool: Storyworth – A journaling tool that helps collect and preserve memories through thoughtful prompts.

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✨ Thank you for continuing this journey with me. Whether you’re taking your first steps toward healing or revisiting familiar paths, know that your words matter. Every time you express your truth—whether through writing, speaking, or reflecting—you’re creating something unique and powerful.

Whether we are celebrating a mother’s love, honouring her sacrifices, or reflecting on her impact, this moment is for all of us.

👉 Know this: A mother’s love is a thread woven through our lives—sometimes seen, sometimes felt, but always there.

👇 Remember to share your story of resilience in the comments below - I'll feature my favourite responses in next week's issue. And if this resonated with you, sharing this newsletter with a friend helps our community grow.

With love and gratitude,
Saira