Being Mom

It's weird when you wake up one day and realize that you are, indeed, a mom. I remember the first time I realized I was. I heard my new name, Mom, so many times that I was ready to scream if I heard it again. I felt like I was being pulled in multiple directions at one time. It's the hardest, best job in the world, but when you're any other profession, no one screams your title at you all day. Could you imagine? "Lawyer! Lawyer!" Everyone would go insane. It's weird, but it's kind of what makes mom a big deal. (Ok maybe people do it for Doctors too. But probably not at their own home...)

And I'm sorry, but no one cares. 

I remember being pregnant, having a baby. Having another one. And it's a lot of work with all that expanding and shrinking, and stretching and pushing. But it's the most amazing experience in the world I tell ya.

Yeah really, no one cares.

Doing the dishes. The laundry. Changing diapers. Making dinners. Scrubbing pans. Cleaning toilets. Mopping floors. Grocery shopping.

I'm not kidding, no one cares.

Then there's the kid stuff. Singing songs. Playing tickle monster. Reading children's books. Waking up in the night. Again. And again. And Again. On repeat.

Seriously, no one cares.

And I use the term no one loosely. Like that person you met at a dinner party. Or maybe your doctor. Or the guy who does your taxes. What do you do? What's your job? If it ends in being a mom, beware. Beware of conversations awkwardly halting to stop when you mention the m word. Being a mom is bo-ring. Lame-o. What is there to say? Anyone. Anyone could do it. It doesn't take schooling. It doesn't take a special seminar. Not really money. And besides the biology or legal part it doesn't really say much in and of itself.

Except. Well that's not entirely true. There is only one me and you Bucko. And if you are a mom or maybe know someone who is a mom, remember how big the job really is and how only one person can do it. It's not like you can just put an ad in the paper to find someone else to fill in and take over the job every once in a while. A mom is a mom. That's it. There is only one really. One person can be Davy and Gianna's Momma. 

One to kiss the scraped knees of my little girl.

One to hold her when she's sad.

One to trace her face and sing her to sleep.

One to talk to her in the bathroom while she tries to go.

One to hold her hand in parking lots and in the street.

One to tickle her until she can't breathe.

One to buy her a treat in the grocery store.

One to cradle in her in my arms and whisper I love you in her tiny ear.

One to put her hair in pigtails so it stays out of her face.

One to dance with in the kitchen.

One to make cupcakes with, but mostly eat icing.

One to run outside in the rain with just for fun.

One to pour water on her head just right in the bath to keep the soap out of her eyes.

One to hug. Again. And again. And again.

It's hard to put into words the depth and meaning of being a mom, because, well it sounds so much like what is normal about life.
 And it is.
Or it should be. Moms are holding the normal part of this world together. Keeping families together and raising kids that will do great things in this world. The world is full of amazing mothers. Celebrate your mom today. I'm sure she did at least one nice thing for you ;)

(And in case you are looking into renegotiating your contract this year. Here is something helpful to help you ballpark some salary expectations. Today is a perfect day to have a performance evaluation. Talk to your supervisor.)