The following excerpts were taken from the novel, Anne of Green Gables, to show certain stages in Marilla’s acceptance of her role in Anne’s life.  On Mother’s Day, most people are focusing on all that their mothers have given them.  But if we look at the character of Marilla, she is just as grateful to Anne for coming into her life – and bringing all that she brought with her – as Anne was to Marilla for keeping her.

In this piece, Marilla is speaking with Matthew about the possibility of keeping Anne at Green Gables.  She sees her decision as a sort of duty.

[speaking to herself] “I won’t tell her tonight that she can stay,” she reflected, as she strained the milk into the creamers.  “She’d be so excited that she wouldn’t sleep a wink. Marilla Cuthbert, you’re fairly in for it.  Did you ever suppose you’d see the day when you’d be adopting an orphan girl?  It’s surprising enough; but not so surprising as that Matthew should be at the bottom of it, him that always seemed to have such a mortal dread of little girls.  Anyhow, we’ve decided on the experiment and goodness only knows what will come of it.” ~ Pages 57-58

Then, several chapters into the novel, we see a certain change in Marilla in the way she viewed her life, as she anticipates and counts on the company of her growing girl.

Her eyes dwelt affectionately on Green Gables, peering through its network of trees and reflecting the sunlight back from its windows in several little coruscations of glory.  Marilla, as she picked her steps along the damp lane, thought that it was really a satisfaction to know that she was going home to a briskly snapping wood fire and a table nicely spread for tea, instead of to the cold comfort of old Aid meeting evenings before Anne had come to Green Gables. ~ Page 224

And then, in one of the most memorable scenes from both the novel and film adaptation, Marilla comforts Anne after Matthew’s passing.  In this scene, Marilla vocalizes her deep love and need of Anne. 

“We’ve got each other, Anne.  I don’t know what I’d do if you weren’t here—if you’d never come.  Oh, Anne, I know I’ve been kind of strict and harsh with you maybe—but you musn’t think I didn’t love you as well as Matthew did, for all that.  I want to tell you now when I can.  It’s never been easy for me to say things out of my heart, but at times like this it’s easier.  I love you as dear as if you were my own flesh and blood and you’ve been my joy and comfort ever since you came to Green Gables.” ~ Page 309

What is your own definition of a “mother”?  Does Marilla exhibit the traditional qualities of motherhood?