Mother's Day....in my mind this particular Hallmark holiday is a loaded one. I am blessed to be a mother. It changed my life, made me face myself (the good and the bad), made me stronger, and gave me my own re-birth. I am proud that when someone asks what I do (a very common question in NYC) I first say I am a Mom. Of course I also then quickly add, "I am a single Mom". A. because I am equally proud of the strength it took to become a single mom and B. because said person may be cute single and male.
I am also very much thinking about those people in my life who desperately want to add the title Mom to their resumes of life. I can only imagine that this day is a reminder to them of what they want, but perhaps is not so easily obtained. I have a few people in my life now who want to be mothers and for the most part I think they would make the most amazing Moms. Particularly I am thinking of my amazing friend Liz (who writes her own blog and discusses her personal journey to motherhood). On a day like today I am so honored and blessed but I also can't help but think and honor Liz and a few other women I know who have struggled but not given up. I know in my heart Liz will be a mother soon. I also know that child will be so loved it will be squished. I know it will most likely be the fattest baby on earth because of the food it will be taunted with. It will also speak more languages than myself and will have a different accent than its parents which I find humorous. And I know that when Mother's Day arrives next year I will be sending the fattest care package in the world to welcome you into the club.
So perhaps today is simply a Hallmark holiday and there are many people reluctant to spend $5 on a card and treck into the outer borroughs to visit their Moms, but it is also a day of honor. Today is a day that is meant to focus and pamper the women who tend to do everything for everyone else. Who sacrifice, who go last, and who go without. Motherhood is full of heartache whether from too much sorrow or too much love a mother's heart never stops aching.
So here are a few things I have learned along the way:
- You have to be nice to the other parents on the playgound because you are now setting an example to your child
- You can not eat cupcakes for breakfast (at least not in front of your child)
- You will become that mom you use to tell yourself you would never be
- Myth: You do not lose your fashion sense when you have kids and are fully aware that you look like you should be sitting home with a paper doing laundry or cleaning the bathroom but there is really nothing you can do about it because the only pair of jeans and t shirt you find as you are running to make it to daycare/work on time your 2.5 year old has just smeared with peanut butter or vommitted on
- Mom cliques do exist on the playground and they really ARE talking about you behind your back
- You lie and tell people the oreo cookies and twinkies your child is devouring are organic from Wholefoods
- Your child lives on apple juice but at least it isn't from concentrate
- There is a 5 minute rule in your house and you think it can extend to the playground especially if it happens to be the pizza you just bought
- Your child has gone to school in pajamas
- You live on lists and schedules
- You do bribe your child
- Your child will be the most amazing thing you have ever created
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