Mother's Day

You cannot know how many times I have written and rewritten this entry. Husband gave up on me and went to bed. I've been at it for over an hour now and the words just aren't coming.

How do I accurately describe motherhood? How can I convey the depths of the job of being a mom? How do I put into to words the sheer awesomeness of that responsibility? How can I describe the perks, the pitfalls and the peaks and valleys? Because there are plenty of all of those and we all have them. How to I get across how I really feel about being a mom?

And suddenly, I think I know.

Close your eyes for a minute and think of the greatest thing you have ever done, a day when you were your happiest. What was it? Was it the day you received your college diploma? Was it the day you got a promotion? Maybe it was the day you got married. Maybe it was even the day you had a baby.

Now take whatever that great thing was, and store it in your pocket for a moment.

Now think of a sad thing that happened to you. Maybe you were laid off. Maybe you had a fight and lost a friend. Maybe you got your heart stomped on by a boy who was supposed to love you. Maybe you were betrayed.

Got it?

Now take both those feelings, the happy and the sad.

Multiply them both by 100 minimum.

Happy x 100=

The first time baby smiles at you.

The first "Mama" when you know she means you.

The first wobbly steps he takes.

The first "I love you."

The first great report card.

The first kind act you catch your child doing.

The first time your baby finds a best friend.

The first time you catch on camera that perfect moment that you will look at for years and remember just how amazing it was.

Sad x 100 =

The first shots

The first ear infection

The first teething

When someone hurts your baby's feelings

The first time you send him to school.

When she doesn't need you like you thought she would.

When you realize they aren't babies any more.

When they don't get invited to a party.

When they struggle with something, anything, and you can't fix it.

When they figure out Santa.


If you are already a mom, you are well aware of the truth in what I wrote above. If you are not a mom, words cannot do these feelings justice. Being a mom.... it's like any other job and yet like no other job. It has high points and low points. There are no promotions, but there is always more work to be done. The money is bad, but the perks are amazing.

And though your official job title may be "Mother" most of the mothers I know are really "Mommy" or "Mom" and even the occasional "Mama." Those monikers are earned with love and patience and hugs and understanding.

Happy Mother's Day to all the Moms, Mommies and Mamas. What we do is hard work and you all do it so well. Hug your kids and know that they are the reason you get to celebrate today and pat yourself on the back for all that you do. You deserve it.