Continued...

For enduring

The first time I dropped my son off at a babysitter’s and watched him cry and reach for me in the window my heart broke. As moms, we endure heartache often as we watch our children learn and grow, succeed and fail, and endure illnesses, hurt feelings, and disappointment. Our heart soars when they meet their goals and sinks when things don’t work out. Motherhood is a roller coaster of emotions that us moms withstand without complaint. I appreciate my mom for her strong support of me even when she was hurting too.

For the unseen

There are things moms do every day that go unnoticed. Moms make sure the football jersey is clean before the next game, check in on a sick kid during the night, drop off a forgotten lunchbox, put puzzle pieces back where they belong, replace toothbrushes, clean out the pantry, email teachers with concerns, volunteer, cook, shop, and so many little things that keep a family going every day. The little things that don’t seem to matter, that most won't notice, that no one asks for, that moms do just because they want to show their love for their family. I appreciate my mom for all the things she has done that I never thought to thank her for.

For loving me anyway

Moms love their kids through tantrums, potty training, back talk, and rebellion. There is no doubt that raising kids is trying on the patience but moms have a way of letting us know that no matter what mistakes we make, they will be there to catch us when we fall. I appreciate my mom for loving me even when I was unlovable. 

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For letting me go

When you become a mother, you are the center of your child’s world. You feed them, change them, and comfort them. The more they grow, the more independent they become. While this is something to celebrate, it can be heart wrenching to loosen the grip on a child and trust them to manage life and all of its challenges alone. It’s scary and new and feels more like a loss of control than anything else, but as you watch your child take on life’s challenges it can be a great sense of pride as well. I appreciate my mom for letting me go, grow, and experience life in my own way.

This Mother’s Day, take notice of the hard work moms do every day. Acknowledge the little things they do, thank them for always being there, and hug them tight before you leave.