Moms

Motherhood is the top learn-on-the-job occupation in the universe. There isn't a one-size-fits-all manual. Every child is a new experience from day one, whether you have one or twenty.

Being a mom is the most rewarding and the most heart-breaking job ever. No one, not your parents, not your spouse, not your best friend can grab your heart like your child. You might kill for your significant other. You will definitely do whatever is necessary to protect your child.

Once a year we set aside a day to honor our mothers. Somehow, that doesn't seem to be enough, you know? I suspect we get so used to mothers being around, doing whatever is necessary that we kind of forget how special they are.

Some mothers will receive flowers today--whether they're living or dead. Some will go out to dinner with their families. Some will get a phone call because they live far away. And some made the ultimate sacrifice and gave their child up for adoption. There are some who won't hear a word and might even languish in loneliness and heartbreak.

If you know a mom who's alone today, please take the time to wish her well. Maybe call her to say Happy Mother's Day.

Mothering is a tough job. It's a volunteer job, whether you're a biological mom or a foster or adoptive mom. No pay. Long, impossible hours, and it's years before you know how your efforts worked out. Were you a success? Hard to tell, sometimes.

For some of us, our mom has passed on and all we have is memories. And if we were very fortunate, we might even have been gifted with a second mom, a courageous woman who took on the job of raising kids not her own.

Wherever your mom is, whoever she is, call her up and tell her you love her. Just because she's your mom.

anny