Unconditional Love

A smile that lights up the face of a child when he sees his parents is like no other. The trust, affection and love in the smile are enough of make a man out of any cynic.
The mother, sleeping late because of her child, waking countless times in the night for him and changing her entire routine for the little one makes one wonder what propels such behavior.
What then, changes? As he grows old the love does not seem to mature? Somehow, the affection seems lacking- the trust dwindles and as a child becomes a man, at times it changes to distrust.
A feminist changes her views, throws her feminist gear and hugs the maternity wear- loves her child as no other; and loves him unconditionally.
Would she do so, I wonder, if she could foresee the future? If she could see her beloved son escorting his mother to a nursing home- sending a card or so every mother’s day, mind. No one can say the son does not care about the old lady. Why, did he not mail her a card just last year? He’ll mail one this year too- is in no doubt.
If she could foresee the arguments they were to have, the fights, the “I hate you”s flung offhandedly or even those “you don’t really care about me”- would she really have given up her job? Her night’s sleep? Every penny of her savings on his toys, accessories, luxuries, whims? Or would she have forced herself to do as he claimed? ‘Not really cared about him’? That, you see, is the problem with unconditional love. You cannot help it. Their lack of care, lack of understanding and lack of reciprocating the love you give- may hurt you; but you cannot stop yourself from loving them anyway. Hurting- and loving. Hating the turn the events have taken- and loving. Always loving. Merciless unconditional love.