This Mother's Day, share a heartfelt message with these 30 quotes about mothers

Gifts for Mother’s Day

Celebrating mothers and motherhood has been a tradition for centuries, even before Mother’s Day was officially created. It dates back to the ancient Greeks and Romans who held festivals for Rhea and Cybele, the mother goddesses, the History Channel reports. Today, the holiday continues to honor mothers and mother figures.

While you might think that you show your mother love for everything she does throughout the year, the second Sunday in May serves as another chance to do so. And how you display your gratitude could vary depending on your love language.

If you’re a fan of words of affirmation, here are some quotes to share – or write on a card – this Mother’s Day.

Start the day smarter. Get all the news you need in your inbox each morning.

Mother’s Day, motherhood quotes

• “I realized when you look at your mother, you are looking at the purest love you will ever know.” – Mitch Albom, “For One More Day”
• “Mama was my greatest teacher, a teacher of compassion, love and fearlessness. If love is sweet as a flower, then my mother is that sweet flower of love.” – Stevie Wonder
• “A mother’s love is patient and forgiving when all others are forsaking, it never fails or falters, even though the heart is breaking.” – Helen Rice
• “A mother’s love is more beautiful than any fresh flower.” – Debasish Mridha
• “When your mother asks, ‘Do you want a piece of advice?’ it’s a mere formality. It doesn’t matter if you answer yes or no. You’re going to get it anyway.” – Erma Bombeck
• “All that I am or ever hope to be, I owe to my angel mother.” – President Abraham Lincoln
• “I wondered if my smile was as big as hers. Maybe as big. But not as beautiful.” – Benjamin Alire Sáenz, “Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe”
• “Sometimes the strength of motherhood is greater than natural laws.” – Barbara Kingsolver, “Homeland and Other Stories”
• “A mother is she who can take the place of all others but whose place no one else can take.” – Gaspard Mermillod
• “I can imagine no heroism greater than motherhood.” –  Lance Conrad, “The Price of Creation”
• “To describe my mother would be to write about a hurricane in its perfect power. Or the climbing, falling colors of a rainbow.” – Maya Angelou
• “A mother’s arms are more comforting than anyone else’s.” – Princess Diana
• “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
• “Mothers and their children are in a category all their own. There’s no bond so strong in the entire world. No love so instantaneous and forgiving.” – Gail Tsukiyama, “Dreaming Water”
• “When you are a mother, you are never really alone in your thoughts. You are connected to your child and to all those who touch your lives. A mother always has to think twice, once for herself and once for her child.” – Sophia Loren
• “Once you’re a mom, you’re always a mom. It’s like riding a bike, you never forget.” – Taraji P. Henson
• “But behind all your stories is always your mother’s story, because hers is where yours begins.” – Mitch Albom, “For One More Day”

Looking for inspiration? 50 positive quotes for peak motivation

Just Curious for more? We’ve got you covered

USA TODAY is exploring the questions you and others ask every day. From “Who was the oldest Golden Girl?” to “What is the smallest country?” to “What’s May’s birthstone?” − we’re striving to find answers to the most common questions you ask every day. Head to our Just Curious section to see what else we can answer.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: This Mother’s Day, share a heartfelt message with these 30 quotes about mothers