Madonna Links Her Mom's Death To Her 'Tumultuous Relationship With Sleep'

Music icon Madonna celebrated Mother's Day by baring her heart amid the conclusion of her Celebration Tour.

The highly anticipated occasion is a day to celebrate the matriarchs who hold down the household. However, for Madonna, it was a time to reflect on the impacts of her mother's death and her own motherhood journey.

In honor of Mother's Day, Madonna updated her Instagram page with images that captured her love for her late mother and her amazing children.

The slideshow began with pictures from the singer's Celebration Tour, where she performed a tribute to her mom and namesake, Madonna Louise.

She is seen on stage, wearing a cowboy ensemble, as she sings to a sizable sepia-toned photo of her mom on the screen. In one snap, Madonna is overcome with emotions and seemingly wipes away the tears with her hand.

"I stood on stage for 81 shows staring up at the beautiful face of my mother and wondering what she must've been thinking as she waved goodbye to me from her hospital window," the singer-songwriter contemplated in the post's caption.

"I stepped into the station wagon and shut the door, not knowing it was the last time I'd see her. Nobody told me my mother was dying," Madonna continued, adding:

"I just watched her disintegrate mysteriously, and then she disappeared, and there was no explanation except that she had gone to sleep, which explains My Tumultuous relationship with sleep."

Madonna noted her late mother was never far from her mind during her Celebration Tour, claiming:

"When I stepped out on the stage and looked up at my mother's face every night. I said hello, I said goodbye. I said Thank you; I hope you're proud of me. I said Please protect me and keep me sane."

The "Material Girl" hitmaker also paid tribute to her adopted son, David Banda's mother, whose picture was displayed on-screen during her concert.

Madonna didn't hide her vulnerabilities, stressing that she often wondered if her son's biological mother was pleased with her. She confessed:

"I would look up at. David's Mother — Malita across the stage And have the same thoughts. Was I doing a good job? Is she proud of her Son? Am I the mother she would want me to be??"

In her lengthy message, Madonna reflected on her relationship with her children. She admitted to having a hard time letting go as they grew up "too fast" and "spin out in different directions."

However, she is grateful for her Celebration Tour, which helped improve the family's dynamic. "I became very close to my children on this tour. We clung to each other. In the long hours we worked and struggled," the proud mother wrote, adding:

"They helped me manifest my dreams. In the chaos and the storms, the monotony and repetition. The sleepless nights and the endless Packing and unpacking. All the sacrifices. We made together."

"So many hours of Blood, Sweat, and Tears. Grateful for the privilege of bringing people together with Music. But also we just wanted to sleep in," Madonna confessed before raving about some of her children's achievements depicted in the slideshow.

Still on her journey as a mother, Madonna stressed that there is "No Easy way into the motherhood game." She stated that there is "no manual or University" that helps one become a great matriarch, writing:

"Just trial and error and learn and succeed and then fail again. Finally, the realization that they were raising me and not the other way around."

The Queen of Pop added, "I always laugh with friends and say motherhood = suffering. But it’s not a joke; it's the truest thing I’ve ever said. But I wouldn’t change it for anything."

She concluded her message with a quote from James Baldwin that read, "All the children belong to us. Every one of them. Belong to the Mothers. The Warriors. The Fighters. The Fearless Ones. Happy Mother's Day [red heart emoji]."

The singer's words resonated deeply with fans and celebrities, who applauded her tribute.

"Probably one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen written by Madonna. Happy Mother's Day to her. I'm so happy she's still with us," someone penned. Another supporter echoed: 

"This is by far the most personal and heartfelt message you've shared on social media ever. Happy Mother's Day queen. Your children are lucky to have you, and we are also lucky to feel your incredible energy & powerful light every time you decide to open up like this with us."

As for celebrities, Katy Perry chimed, "You're a wonderful mother—a great human being … you've raised generations." Bravo star Andy Cohen added, "This is so beautiful and true. Happy Mother's Day."