Have you ever loved someone so deeply, there’s just no possible way to articulate the way you feel? The struggle is real, because sometimes there aren’t enough words in any language to express how we feel about our parents. Try as we might, it can seem like we’re always coming up short. Thankfully, because a great mom is basically filled with infinite wisdom, she usually knows we love her without us having to say anything at all. But for those moments when you do find yourself searching for the perfect way to say (or write, or engrave or… calligraph?), “I love you,” these sage quotes from famous folks can be just the thing.
More:These Are the Best Flowers for Mom on Mother’s Day
1. When Mom’s words of encouragement made all the difference
“My mother is my root, my foundation. She planted the seed that I base my life on, and that is the belief that the ability to achieve starts in your mind.” — Michael Jordan
2. When you’re just plain amazed
“No language can express the power, and the beauty, and heroism, and majesty of a mother’s love. It shrinks not where man cowers, and grows stronger where man faints, and over wastes of worldly fortunes sends the radiance of its quenchless fidelity like a star.” — Edwin Hubbell Chapin
3. When mom is selfless & has a sense of humor
“A mother is a person who, seeing there are only four pieces of pie for five people, promptly announces she never did care for pie.” — Tenneva Jordan
4. When only a French translation will do
“The heart of a mother is a deep abyss at the bottom of which you will always find forgiveness.” — Honoré de Balzac
More:32 Things Moms of Boys Say Just About Every Day
5. When her multitasking is truly a marvel
“If evolution really works, how come mothers only have two hands?” — Milton Berle
6. When she’s busy lifting cars with her bare hands
“Mother love is the fuel that enables a normal human being to do the impossible.” — Marion C. Garretty
7. When she’s dealt with all your post-breakup phone calls
“Mother is the bank where we deposit all our hurts and worries.” — Author Unknown
8. When you’ve grown up to turn into your mom
“No influence is so powerful as that of the mother.” — Sarah Josepha Hale
9. When you need a biologist to tell you the truth
“The strength of motherhood is greater than natural laws.” — Barbara Kingsolver
10. If you learned everything you really need to know from Mom
“A good mother is worth hundreds of schoolmasters.” — George Herbert
Next: More Mother’s Day love notes
A version of this article was originally published in May 2013.
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