Research the definition of mother in most dictionaries and you'll find the usual - a woman who conceives, gives birth to or nurtures a child. This definition is most certainly correct. However, there is so much more to being a mother.

The definition most true to the word mother is: a condition that is the inspiration for an activity or situation.

Those few words sum up the importance of a mother's role in this world. To be the inspiration for all that occurs in our lives, good or bad, is what being a mother means to me.

Growing up, I thought my mom knew everything. How could she possibly be wrong? After all, she was my mother. If she said I was a democrat, then I was a democrat. If she said the tooth fairy would visit me the night I lost my tooth, then I knew to try with all my might to drift off to sleep as soon as possible. You know the tooth fairy isn't so nice if she finds you awake!

Still, the most important things my mom told me were about who I was. According to my mom and of course she knew everything, I was beautiful. I was a gift from God. I could be anything in the world I wanted to be. I should love all people and respect everyone. I should never be a follower instead be a leader.

It was those words of wisdom that inspired me to be the woman, the mother I am today. For that, I am grateful.

We could try for the next thousand years to thank our mothers for the many, many ways they enriched our lives. Gifts, cards, phone calls and flowers are beautiful ways of expressing our unwavering love, admiration, and affection.

Nevertheless, the best gift any child can bestow upon their mother is the gift of their own achievement realizing their dream. Knowing your child is happy, successful and able to function in society in a manner that would make any mother proud is the ultimate gift. The realization that the inspiration she was in your life made a difference.

Thanks, Mom. I will always love you.

Roschelle Nelson is the founder of Wah4life.com. She lives and works at home with her husband and two sons. Visit her website: http://www.wah4life.com and http://www.wah4life.blogspot.com.