Someone exists in our lives, around us, protecting us in a silent way. Whenever we need a shoulder to cry on, she is always there to soothe us and calm us. Moreover, she is a good listener and we can always count on her whenever we need someone for advice. We not only find peace from talking to her but solutions to all our problems. In fact, she is the one who helps us face the gravest situation of our lives with courage in our hearts. She is our mother.

Remember how she could take any graze, any injury and make it feel better even without ointment or medicine? And how despite all those hardships and tensions you could sleep peacefully in her lap? This is the magic of motherhood. She is the angel who always accompanies us.

May 14th was Mother’s Day in 2017. Tianjin University is always keen to be a comfortable home for all its employees and advocate humanistic solicitude to its students. Accordingly, TJU decided to hold an event for mother’s day to celebrate motherhood and to appreciate mothers and mother figures. The main activity this year was eating fruit platters prepared by houseparents, who take care of us on campus like our mothers. The other activities included writing letters to mothers and professing our love for our mothers in public. A hundred students participated, expressing gratitude towards houseparents who exert a great effort in their work regardless of their personal hardships. The event was organized by TJU in cooperation with the Fruit Engineer Committee, Housemasters Association and the Voice of Peiyang Radio.

“We are told to prepare fruit for these students today so that they can feel they are at home. This is a way of reminding them of their mothers.” One houseparent said. She enjoys this activity very much. “I am so glad to provide these lovely children with fruit. Today is a special day, I hope all students remember to send their wishes to their mothers today.”

Delicious fruit platters are provided. [Photo/Tianjin University]

The open-air activity was also popular among students. Students shared the same sentiment, sharing their thoughts on the occasion and how they see their own mothers. Many of them took part in the DIY fruit platter activity to express their gratitude to their houseparents.

Free fruit was provided on campus. [Photo/Tianjin University]

Some students sang songs and read poems for their mothers through this activity. “This activity is very meaningful. I want to give my mom a surprise today. However, I don’t know what gift I should prepare. But I sang a song for her in public and sent her the video just now. This will be an unforgettable memory from my school life” a student who was very excited about this event told me.

Besides these activities, TJU holds a concert at night especially for female staff members, who dedicate themselves to TJU. This concert was organized by TJU labor union and all attendees were advised to wear cheongsam. It aimed to show gratitude to the female staff and promote gender equality in TJU.

It is said that the origins of Mother's Day are attributed to different people. Many believe that two women, Julia Ward Howe and Anna Jarvis were important in establishing the tradition of Mother's Day in the United States. Other sources say that Juliet Calhoun Blakely initiated Mother’s Day in Albion, Michigan, in the late 1800s. Her sons paid tribute to her each year and urged others to honor their mothers.

Kahlil Gibran truly said — “The mother is everything – she is our consolation in sorrow, our hope in misery, and our strength in weakness. She is the source of love, mercy, sympathy, and forgiveness. He who loses his mother loses a pure soul who blesses and guards him constantly.” No matter what you do, what errors you make, how much you hurt her, her love for you will never diminish and always be unconditional. Her love is the ultimate true love.

To encourage students to inherit national and family feelings and advocate traditional ethics, Tianjin University will continue to celebrate Mother’s Day every year.

By: Wang Huiting

Photo: Wang Huiting

Editors: Qin Mian and Christopher Peter Clarke