The Gallery - Mother Love

What does the phrase 'Mother Love' mean to you?
The special bond you have with your own mum, the woman who brought you into this world, who nurtured you and cared for you when you were unable to look after yourself. She who, if you are as blessed as I am, is there with a comforting hug when you need it. With whom, sometimes, no words are necessary...

When I saw this prompt I knew instantly what it meant to me.

Mother Love - the bond a mother has to her child - is like no other. Yes, I love my partner (despite everything ;) ) and my family and a fair few of my friends with all my heart. But my son, my little man - I would walk through fire for him. He has only been a part of my life for a short while but I simply cannot imagine what life would be like without him...
It will be his third birthday very soon but I still remember the first time we gazed into each other's eyes and the bond was cemented. He was 10 days past his due date when my blood pressure suddenly soared and I was rushed into hospital with suspected pre-eclampsia and told that I would have to be induced (bang went the relaxing music in the birthing pool I had been planning the past 9 months...)
After a long and exhausting labour he got into difficulties and had to be 'helped' out. When he finally arrived he wasn't breathing. For five minutes (that seemed like a lifetime) I had absolutely no idea what was happening. Was our baby ok? I didn't even know if we had a boy or a girl. Finally he was wrapped in blankets and I was allowed to hold him briefly before he was whisked away to intensive care...

An hour later we were allowed to go and see him.
'He's doing fine,' said the nurse. 'He's a proper little fighter that one' and she grinned. And I knew that everything was gonna be ok.

And here it is - taken on my mobile by his daddy - the very first moment we looked at each other.

My little soldier...