Happy Mother's Day...

 Hi!

You know, becoming a Mom is an incredible thing. It's definitely not for everyone, just like being a Dad, an entrepreneur, living in the middle of nowhere, living in a big city, living a life of travel, or being a homebody. 

If you try to force yourself to do things that you are absolutely not wired for, you will be miserable, or at least rub right up against it enough to involve HR and prompt a meeting. 

If you don't have a burning desire to be a Mom, you shouldn't be one. Period. Society needs to step away from archaic thinking and embrace the fact that women have a lot more going for them beyond growing, and raising babies. 

Being a Mom is incredible and incredibly difficult. For everyone, even the ones who knew they wanted kids before they knew how babies were made. It's hard, it's exhausting, you hope like hell you're not doing any permanent damage to their psyche, you try not to over-protect, but protect enough, you want them to learn how to adult, while still letting them be kids. It forces organization where there might not naturally be any, it requires routine, and levels of multitasking that should become an Olympic event. 

It's incredible to watch these tiny beings become toddlers, students, teenagers, adults, living their lives just as they wish to, without limitations, without compromising who they are, walking through life as generous, kind individuals, some becoming parents, some not. All living life as they see fit.

For those who have chosen motherhood to become part of who they are, celebrate. 

Relish in the eggshell-laden, interesting, combo breakfast that may come your way. Cherish the macaroni jewelry, the homemade cards, all the love. Bathe in the warmth of the teenage nonchalant grunt that may begrudgingly escape from behind a closed bedroom door. Jump in with a hell yeah when your adult children tell you to pack a bag and not ask any questions. 

Being a mom is watching your heart walk around without you. You hope you've done enough, but not too much. You hope you've imparted wisdom, such as it is, without being overbearing. You hope you've provided a balance of guidance and freedom. You hope you've taught them the importance of self-worth, kindness, and inclusivity. You hope you've taught them how to be open while simultaneously protecting themselves. 

You do. You hope. You worry. And then you get to witness them be the incredible people they were always meant to be, and thankful for the small part you were permitted to play. 

So happy Mother's Day!

Not everyone is lucky enough to still be able to say it in person, or on the phone. Some are left with whispers that evaporate into the wind, whispers that become tears full of memories. 

Say the words while you can.

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