The other day, a man yelled from his car window “you mother *&%*” as he waved his finger at me. I just smiled. It’s good to be somebody’s mother.
Where would the world be without us?
I agree that we can sometimes be bossy, overbearing and worry-warts. But I need to interject that it’s in the job description.
We are also our children’s biggest fan, loudest cheerleader, and life’s leaning pole. We love our kids endlessly and protect them at all costs. Nobody does it better. It is a blessing and a curse.
Anyone who knows me knows I love my kid. She has come first in my life since she entered it. She is my light and my pride and my joy. I love her with the breath of me.
Still, motherhood has not been easy.
You know that excruciating labor pain and delivery? The yelling, screaming, crying and cursing? The blood, the sweat and the terror? That was the easy part.
Being a mom is tough business. Once you’re there, nothing is optional. You’re in. You can’t change your mind, you can’t call in sick, and you can’t take a day off. It’s a lifetime gig.
There were a lot of different hats to wear, big decisions to make and curfews to levy. I confess that I didn’t always make the right decisions, but I always made them for the right reasons.
There were late nights sitting up soothing an upset tummy or calming a nightmare. That matured into waiting up for her to come home. The younger years were easier.
The sleepovers, the parties, the boys, the tears, the dances, the heartbreaks, the carpools, the shopping excursions, the drama! I wouldn’t trade a minute of it for a million bucks.
Teenage years were beyond challenging. I personally think that all mothers of girls between the ages of 13 and 21 should be given a medal of valor and a lifetime supply of chocolate brownie ice-cream. It’s only fair. They say boys are easier. I hope so, but I think it all evens out in the end.
I still don’t know why we don’t get paid for this job. I am venturing to guess that the pay level would be in the 6 figure range. Whatever it would be, it wouldn’t be enough.
Mothers are the only sure thing most of us can count on our entire lives.
I remember being with my boyfriend as we cleared out dozens of boxes that he had saved from his deceased parents. He had never gone through them and they had died a decade prior. We dove in.
I was not surprised to find that one entire box was filled with cards he had given his mother throughout the years. She saved every single one of them. That’s what mothers do. We preserve and we cherish. We save memories for when we are no longer here to hug and to hold.
Cherishing is a good thing and no one does it better than moms.
It would be a mistake to underestimate mothers. A mom will be the first to remind you that she brought you into this world and she can take you out. It would be foolish to challenge her.
I always said if my daughter didn’t fear me, then I was doing something wrong. She did. But what I later found out, was that she feared disappointing me most of all. What she didn’t know, is that she never could.
Mothers will always remind us of who we are, what we are worth, and how we should be proud of ourselves. Mothers see what others miss and what we forget about ourselves.
As mothers, we are proud to see our babies fly on their own, accomplish their goals, live loving lives. The fact is we were always proud of them no matter what they did … or didn’t do. What moms don’t tell their kids when they have left the nest … is that we miss them every single day.
At the end of the day, my biggest and best accomplishment isn’t the money I made, the business’ I ran or the big homes I lived in. It is that I am the mother of a beautiful little girl who grew to be a beautiful, responsible, funny and wicked smart young woman. That is my mother’s day celebration. That is my gift.
And so, I say thank you to all the mothers who have sacrificed so much, cried rivers, spent many a sleepless night worrying, cleaned up vomit, buried fish and hamsters, forfeited the vacation for fender repairs, went without so their kids could have. YOU are my heroes.
Happy Mother’s Day.
Carmen Kane - I totally agree with you. No matter how old you or your children are — you never stop being a Mother — I believe even after death!
That being said I would not trade, gift or sell any of my 5 children — however, my advise is to stop at 2!!!!! And no you worry the same with boys or girls. Thank you for your beautiful article. VIVA all moms!
Darbie - Beautifully said!!! You spoke for all us moms out there who often feel unappreciated and definitely underpaid!! Great sentiment and right on the money!! Being a mom is not for the weak of heart, but it’s not something you would want to miss out on in life! As always your writing is inspiring, touching and motivating! Thanks for your words!
Maureen Armentrout - As usual, I’m absolutely snorting one paragraph in!! You are just too funny for words – and always spot on. When’s the next book??
TK - How true, you are truly amazing in your wisdom! tk
Tracy Majeski - Thank you Tammy for saying it for all of us MOMs! I love reading your posts! Happy Mother’s day to you and all mothers and Grandmother’s too!
www.goodhealthdiva.blogspot.com - Wow this is the one of the most beautiful thing I ever read about mothers, I am a young mother of three and can relate to sooo much already and I feel you on the fact that the biggest accomplishment in life is raising them, I am up it’s 1:46 am and watching over my daughter who is not feeling the best so reading this article is like a comforting sweet personal note! Thank you sooo much for writing this beautiful thing!
tammy - Carmen, We are a special lot aren’t we?! I’m so happy you are following. Yes…Viva all moms! I hope your day is a special one.
tammy - Darbie, Thanks for YOUR words. You’re right, being a mom is not something I would have wanted to miss out on. No way! Still, we can complain a little about the tought spots, yes? Thanks for your post. So happy to have you here. Happy Mother’s Day to you.
tammy - Working on the new book, it remains un-titled. Perhaps I should name it: Snort-worthy! I’m SO happy you enjoyed the read. Thank you for being here….and have a very Happy Moms Day.
tammy - Hi TK, So love knowing you are on the other side of my posts, and enjoying them. Thanks for taking the time to let me know that. Have a great Moms Day!
tammy - Tracy, And I love that you are reading my posts and enjoying them!! Thanks for that. And thanks for contributing here. It means a lot. Have a great Mother’s Day!
tammy - Hello Diva, A young mother of three has much to celebrate. You must be exhausted! I am so very happy that this piece spoke to you. Nothing could please me more. I hope your sweet little girl is feeling better. As you sit there past one in the morning … we are all there with you, in spirit. The reward at the end of the road called Motherhood is simply a glorious one. Looks like you are well on your way. Thank you for being here. Have a wonderful Mother’s Day.
mickey - tammy-i read your latest, crying all the way.
so true in every respect. you said it best.
brings back so many memories, many of which you and our girls shared together. thank you.
Kayla - So very true, Tammy. I fear my mom but my fear of disappointing her is the far greater terror. We had a conversation recently and she had to tell me to stop living my life to make her and Dad happy. She was proud of me, my choices, my life goals and who I was. Needless to say I was in tears after she utter the little phrase, “I am proud of you.” Mother’s words are powerful and profound. Your daughter is blessed to have an articulate mother like you. 🙂 Happy Momma’s Day.
Lori Miller - Wow! That was very beautiful and touching! I know I am just starting out but I already understand that this is the biggest and most important job anyone can ever have! It has made me appreciate and understand my own Mom so much more. Thank you for articulating it so well!
Jenny - Happy Mom’s Day to my new friend!!
Cynthia - The joys, the heartaches, the sleepless nights, the thrilling days…even when they are grown men, they still need their mommy. Those early days are challenging and sometimes unbearable..and often we think it will never improve and wonder what we did wrong. As our children grow, we realize that many of those decisions we made were the right ones and those that were not, we all learned from. But, in the end, it is SO worth it! I am very fortunate to have two wonderful, attentive, loving sons who I love so dearly. Your words dear friend, are always special….Happy Mommy’s Day.
tammy - Mickey, Those were the best of times. Those were the worst of times. I am ever so grateful I spent them with you. We are so far apart these days … and yet, always, so close. Happy Mom’s Day!
tammy - Kayla, Your sharing brought tears to my eyes. I have lived that scene with my daughter. So glad you are here. I appreciate your posts. Wish your mom a happy mother’s day … from me.
tammy - Lori, it is only when we become mother’s that we truly appreciate our own. You’re right, of course, your job IS the most important one a person can have. No pressure! Thanks for your post. Have a wonderful Mom’s Day!
tammy - And the very same to you Jenny! Thank you for thinking of me 🙂
tammy - Cynthia, you ARE a very lucky woman indeed! Truer words were never spoken than those in your post. I can’t tell you how happy it makes me that you are on the other end of my weekly blogs. Happy Mother’s Day my friend.
kriti - Happy Mother’s Day to you too Tammy! It is so true what you say about mothers – it will be foolish to challenge them. My mother knows what I am going to say just when I call out to her. I say – “MAAAAAAAAAA” and she says “sending a sandwich your way”. Love her to bits.
auto ru - Nice topic – respect !
Cindy - You seem to have a knack for making me cry…………………
Happy Mother’s Day, Tammy!
tammy - Cindy, I hope it’s tears of joy and rememberance. I am right there with you. Happy Mother’s Day to you, my friend.
tammy - Kriti, It’s no secret; mother’s have a magical sense. It annoys even us! While you are wishing your mom a happy Mother’s Day, tell her from me that she obviously did a wonderful job raising you. My congrats to her, and thanks to you for being here.
Shirmela Narsingh - This is an amazing piece of writing I really love it and as a child i think teens should read this