I've heard from many mothers over the years that they or a friend complete skip church on Mother's Day. They usually say they end up feeling awful hearing about all the incredible mothers because they are reminded of what they are not. We talk of mothers who sacrificed much for their families and their children eventually became general authorities and leaders of nations. What of the mother who sacrifices just as much, but her children turned to drugs and alcohol, crime, or suicide? Is Mother's Day destined to be an annual day of torture for her? A day she sees her own supposed "failures" thrust into the spotlight?

Can we do both? Perhaps we could honor all mothers by focusing on the Atonement of Jesus Christ and how it can completely heal the wounds caused by our own and others' agency. There is no such thing as a perfect parent, but there is a perfect Savior who can sooth the piercing sting of our own mistakes.