Mother's Day seems to mean more and more to me each year. With our day just around the corner I thought I'd take a moment to not only praise my own mother, but to praise all you moms out there young and old(er) alike!

Being a mother is not easy. I am a single mother of three beautiful young beings who fill my days and nights with a variety of emotions depending on what's happening in their life at the moment and mine.

I was one of those women who loved being pregnant. Morning sickness and mood swings aside, I glowed with happiness and anticipation, for I was a mother. The life I felt inside of me made me believe in miracles for the first time. And while I adopted my second child, it wasn't a matter of HOW she was delivered to me but rather the fact that she simply WAS delivered. A miracle just the same. Yes... I'm a believer! My children are my reason and purpose and I wouldn't be who I am without them. I might be rich and living in Italy, but I wouldn't be me.

Being a mother is the most glorious and draining task I will ever accomplish. As mothers, everything changes instantly. Our priorities change. We lose time with our friends, our work, our signifigant others and ourselves. Gone are the days of 'before baby' life. This is it and we're in it for life! It takes extaordinary women to be a mom. The confidence and commitment it takes to raise children is enormous and deserves a gold metal in itself. Maternal by instinct maybe, but it doesn't mean we don't have to learn everything we do. We will absorb our advice, but it's through trial and error and a whole lot of patience is what usually works for most of us. New mother's are scared to death. Why do you think we turn to experienced mothers for help? We can instinctively pave a road, but it doesn't mean our child will walk on it.

We watch and support our children as they grow and discover all their powers and abilities. They pick up speed as the changing years go by and head straight for complete independence. This may be the ulitmate goal but it doesn't make it any easier. Letting go is just as hard. No easy way around it. We go from having precious little beings depending upon us to the bitter-sweet delight of independence. From hugs and kisses to .... "You can drop me off here... don't pull in front."  EEK!  Or from going places with them to ... "No thanks, but can you drop me off at the mall?"  SIGH  When we finally have more time to share is usually when they don't. School, friends, activities, computers, texting. Go figure. They contribute to our lives like no other and hopefully we do the same.

We're not just the cooks, taxicab drivers, maid service, hair stylists, nurses, psychologists, authority figures, financial providers, Dear Abby's, Dr. Suess and Dr. Ruth's.... we are SO much more! We are the experts. We are the creative thinkers who expect to always expect the unexpected. The visionaries and dream pushers. We share our treasures and heartache with our children, we share our experiences. We discipline with guidence. We are the first to come to our childs rescue and nothing will stop us. Mama Bear we are indeed! We are the shoulder to cry on and the rock to stand on. We are stronger than we will ever know or admit. We will pry for the sake of good , but we are listeners. We will forever give unconditional love even if we don't like the behavior... for it's who we are.
Although we are all different in how we were raised and have our own parenting skills, we have a sisterhood. A common bond that will never go away. We are mothers.

So my shout out to all you beautiful moms out there... HOOT! HOOT! HOOT! You go girl! Pat yourself on the back, squish you kids if you can, but treat yourself today... you deserve it!