Mama: The Best "Job" in the World!

Finished with work for the day, I decided to peruse Facebook. I came upon an intriguing status/video my friend posted. Knowing what a dedicated and loving mother she is, I decided to click...



...and then began thoughts of how wonderful it is to be your mom.

In this video, mothers perform routines I know so well. I saw myself waking you for school, preparing your breakfasts, seeing you off to school, attending your events, encouraging you through tough moments. I was touched by the tenderness within the eyes of each mother, the pride that shined as they witnessed the accomplishments they, as well as their children, had earned.

I began reflecting there is something so incredibly special about being a mom--not just a mother (anyone who bears children is naturally a mother). There was something so incredibly humbling about being your mom. It meant I rose early to make sure you were up on time (and didn't oversleep...). It meant I dragged myself to the kitchen to make sure the muffins were out of the oven and the milk was poured before you made it to the table. It meant dinner was already planned (probably in the crock-pot and bread machine) because after-school activities and homework had to be done later (and "Oh yeah, Mom! We are having a party and I volunteered to bring homemade cookies" [not store-bought], or "I need you to proofread my paper that is due tomorrow."). It meant swallowing my pride because I did not have the right words to soothe one of your hurts after a breakup. ("Leave me alone! You just DON'T understand, Mom!") It meant crying in the bathroom because I could not make one of you understand I was the ally, not the bad guy. It meant losing sleep at night because one of you was not home...and should have been...and I was worried...and I missed you. It was finding the courage to ask if one of you was gay without offending you. Being a mom meant making sacrifices that meant putting your needs ahead of mine..and I never thought twice about it. (Oh, once in a while it felt good to balk, but I didn't mean it.) I simply loved every day I woke up because it was a new day...and new (and mostly wonderful) things happened every day.

There is something really special about being your mom...I did not raise Olympians, but I did raise an incredibly talented and determined musician, an unbelievably compassionate and passionate CNA, and an incomparably charismatic and sensitive college student. As I think over the ten years I raised you as a single mom, I see you are thoughtful of others and polite, kind, and friendly to strangers. You are aware of the importance of family ties and how valuable it is to keep the ones you love your priority. You understand if you want anything in this world you should not wait for it to be handed to you; you must work it, even if the work is long, hard, and unforgiving. I am privileged to to witness these gifts, though from afar most times (now that you are grown), as your mom.

Being your mom makes me feel special. You tell me "Thank you" every time I do something for you..little or big. ("Thanks for dinner, Mom!") You surprise me with unexpected gestures (just as I have always done for you). (Case in point: Dom, you came home after working all day and attending classes last night with a gift card from one of my favorite stores in the mall, Papyrus, simply because you "had the money" and knew I would like it.) You request specific dishes you love from childhood just to capture memories. ("Three Corn Casserole, please.") I love that you just want to hang out with me--because I want to hang out with you. I love the way you hug me because, when you do, I feel as though you appreciate me as mom...and you finally get me...and how much I loved...LOVE being your mom.

I just have to say, after watching this video, being a mom to you three (as tough as it was sometime) brought (brings) me SO much joy. I am SO blessed by the three of you and I am SO thankful to God for trusting me with you. You are my Olympians in SO many ways!

With my whole heart,
~Mama