They say motherhood is in the holding
In the late nights and lullabies
In scraped knees kissed better
And small hands reaching for yours
But what of the arms left empty
The cradle that never rocks
The silence that answers back
When a name is softly called
I am still a mother
Even without footsteps in the hallway
Even without laughter filling rooms
Even without birthdays to plan
Or stories to read at night
My heart learned your rhythm
My soul carries your existence
And no absence can undo
What love has already made
I mother you in memories
In the way I say your name
In the quiet rituals of remembering
When the world moves on too quickly
I mother you in tears that fall unseen
In strength I never asked for
In waking each day and choosing
To keep loving you anyway
Because motherhood is not erased
By loss or by time
It is written deeper than presence
Stronger than goodbye
So even in the silence
Even in the ache
I am still your mother
And I always will be