Tonight I watched a show about mothers in the wild, and cried.
Lionesses tried to protect their babies as a new leader took over the pride and killed all of the cubs so he could start the pack fresh. In the end, the big, strong male won out and the pain was visible on the mama lion's face as her babies were killed.
After a baby elephant was born, it was immediately surrounded by aunts, cousins, and fellow family members. They encircled the little one for two days while it struggled to gain it's new legs. Not even a bull trying to mount one of the aunties could tear the group of ladies away from this cute, new little one. Eventually, the male pulled a temper tantrum and kicked the baby, to be met with angry grunts and shoves by the gals. He finally gave up (and probably went to watch the hockey game.) Odds are, he didn't get any that night.
A female lemur gave birth just as her pack was moving on. With her baby too weak to hang onto her underbelly, she was forced to choose between the pack and her new little one. It was clear that choosing the pack meant survival, but as her little one lay there whimpering, she urged him over and over to latch onto her fur. After what seemed like forever, she hesitantly left her baby. Her survival instinct was stronger than her maternal one, but not by much. It was obvious that it took everything that animal had to leave her dying baby behind.
Finally, I watched in wonder as a mommy orangutan taught her baby how to find termites using a long stick. As the little one watched intently, its mama demonstrated her technique, then handed the stick to her baby to try. With great patience, she did this over and over again, until finally, her baby was successful. They celebrated with squeals and hugs.
As the program ended, there was a shot of a baby orangutan clinging onto its mother comfortably as she paddled along in a boat in a sanctuary. The final shot was the baby's tiny hand, wrapped around it's mama's finger.
As my eyes welled up with tears, I realized the message of the show I had initially complained about watching.
It turns out mamas aren't so different after all.
To all of the mamas in this world and the next, near and far away, in all of your sparkly, shiny, beautiful glory, who would do anything in the world for your babies, who have experienced a love and a bond so deep I can't even begin to imagine - this one's for you.
Kate this is beautiful and made me cry. xo
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