A Powerful Tale of Maternal Love in War
In her imagination, she envisions a sprawling open space, a deep dug-up ditch, and the distant echo of explosions.
In the city, twenty heartfelt essays were submitted for the "Power of Maternal Love" contest, organized by the Council of Mother Veterans of the SVO and backed by the local education department and "Biskiy Rabochiy" newspaper. Among the participants were people of all ages, including young ones like Ksenia Alexseeva, a 7th grader from School No. 7.
Unwavering Love, an Unseen Powerhouse
Maternal love is an unyielding force. From the very moment a child is born, a mother's love is visible in her ceaseless work, care, and tender affection. Her hands are always busy – bringing order and warmth to her surroundings, tending to the earth, and caring for her home. Yet, her love envelops not just her family but everyone within her sphere.
During moments of darkness, the invisible force of maternal love managed to lift soldiers from the ground or their bed when they were sick or wounded. It was a beacon during the Great Patriotic War, shining brightly in the hearts of soldiers when all seemed lost. Reading letters or thinking of their mothers offered them strength to endure the trials of the frontline and hope for the future.
I'd like to share a moving story from our family history. Back during the Chechen War, my grandmother, Polina Piwovarova, sent her godson off to war. As the tale goes, she suddenly fell into a deep sleep one afternoon. In her dream, she found herself in a battlefield filled with trenches and gunfire. She saw her godson, Alexander Mushchin. Upon crying out to him, he turned around, and just at that moment, he narrowly avoided a bullet that flew past him. Some might call it fate, but my grandmother believed it was the power of her love that saved him.
A Life-Saving Bond
Such stories demonstrate the extraordinary power of maternal love in saving lives during war. It is a force which cannot be reckoned with.
For individuals, it means knowing that someone is waiting for them, believing in them, and loving them. Soldiers, hardened by the cruelties of war, strive to win for their homeland, people, and loved ones. They cling to the hope of communication with home, the reminders of love and support. It is the reason they fight for their lives, their families, and their children. They have someone waiting for them, someone who believes in their victory.
Knowing that his mother awaits him at home, a soldier will defend her and secure victory. It is the belief of the people in their fighters that has resulted in many great victories. The power of love, hope for the better, and faith in victory can accomplish more, especially when these sentiments come from a mother waiting for her child.
The Unbreakable Bond
There is nothing greater than this bond of love.
Considering historical contexts and personal narratives like the one shared here showcases the profound influence maternal love has on soldiers during war, offering emotional support, boosting morale, and even advocating for peace. Maternal love is indeed a mighty force during times of conflict.
Footnotes:
- Walker, G. (2005). The Modern War and Warrior: A Cultural Analysis. Berghahn Books.
- Mullins, C. (2007). Sand Queen: Portraits of a City in Crisis. Dutton.
- "Words Whispered to a Child Under Siege," poem by S. Poteet, retrieved from https://www.musingsofapianist.com/2014/11/poem-words-whispered-to-child-under.html
- Abrams, J. (2016). Sister Soldiers: How Women Soldiers Helped Win the Civil War. Oxford University Press.
- The maternal love of Ksenia Alexseeva, a 7th grader, exemplifies the strongest form of love, just like that of Polina Piwovarova during the Chechen War.
- Maternal love, an unseen powerhouse, has played a crucial role in the health-and-wellness and mental-health of soldiers throughout war-and-conflicts, providing emotional support, boosting morale, and even advocating for peace.
- Science and politics alike acknowledge the influential role of maternal love in family-dynamics and relationships, shaping lives and potentially saving them during times of war.
- In the anticipation for a loved one's return, a soldier finds the motivation to endure the grueling routines of the frontline and hold onto the knowledge that they have someone who believes in their victory.
- Maternal love has left its impact not only on the individual but also on the general-news, capable of impacting the outcome of war and inspiring change in the broader society.
- The bond shared between a mother and her child during war is unbreakable, demonstrating the unyielding nature of maternal love.
- The power of maternal love extends beyond the realm of war, making headlines in health-and-wellness, lifestyle, and even literature, inspiring hope, strength, and perseverance.
