Happy Mother's Day

Last Thursday I went to my chiropractor for an adjustment and while I was waiting for my turn I happened to be sitting across from a chalk board advertising 15% off massages for Mother's Day. I completely broke down, and the harder I tried to stop crying the faster the tears seemed to come. Now, I understand that this is part of the grief process and normally when this happens I am at home and the wave hits, I cry, it passes and I go on with my day. Of course being out in public with red eyes and quiet sniffles, caring people ask the fatal question, "Are you ok?" which always makes me cry harder for some reason. I was able to reassure everyone that I really was ok, just an unexpected reaction to the advertisement. I was thinking, "What is the deal, it's not like I didn't know this day was coming?" But the more I think about it the more I realize that I wasn't dealing with the fact that this is the first Mother's Day without my mother. I knew it would be emotional, but I couldn't have guessed how much. Part of this emotion though is gratitude for all the other mothers in my life and I wanted to take a moment to thank them.

My mother-in-law, Terrie, who does so much for my little family and is always quick with a kind and loving word of encouragement and support.

My grandma LuDean, who just about bursts with pride and love for me and my babies.

Grandma Sharon, who has always been unfailing kind and loving to my family and I love that she has a greeting card for any occasion you could possible think of.

My aunts on both side of the family, but especially my mom's sisters (which include in-laws and steps!) who stepped in and stepped up to take care of her and our family while she was sick and have made great efforts to keep our extended family close and in touch.

Susan, Sandra, Paula and other friends of my mom who also gave us so much of their time and energy. You will never know how much you have blessed our lives. Whenever I hear the hymn that sings about "the errands of angels are given to women" it makes me think of all of you and how true that statement is.

And last but not least are my friends and cousins, Diane, Haylee, Tami, Emilie, Sarah, Catherine, Elena, Mandy, Kris. All of these awesome women who are there to share the joys, humor, heartbreaks, and frustrations of having young children and becoming mothers ourselves. I have to laugh at the thought that we used to play dolls together and now we get our children together for playdates. (The nice thing about dolls is that it is ok to forget them at your friend's house and leave them there overnight...)

Thank you to all of you, you are amazing mothers and I am so glad that there are women I can call on now that I can't ask my mom for her advice or to vent about motherhood. I will be hugging my babies extra tight tomorrow and remembering how lucky I am to be a mom. And I hope that if you are lucky enough to be able to give your mom a hug tomorrow that you'll give her an extra squeeze from me. But make sure that you take the time to let her know how much she means to you and know that you can never say "I love you" too much.