Thanks Mom!

Being a mom has been the most rewarding job I have ever had. I love my kids with all my heart and even though it’s not always a happy go lucky job, I wouldn’t trade it for the world. Being a mom has made me think a lot about my relationship with my own mom.

Growing up I spent a lot of time disagreeing with my parents. I didn’t like that I couldn’t go outside and play whenever I wanted to and what do you mean I have to clean my own room? As a teenager, those disagreements turned into some pretty good arguments. I look back at how I treated my mom back then and I feel guilty. I know it’s normal for kids to go through this with their parents, after all, my daughter has already started with the “It’s not fair!” statements and the “Why do I have to do everything?” question; but I still feel the need to apologize to my mother.

As a parent I now realize that everything my parents did, it wasn’t because they didn’t want me to have fun, it was because they loved and cared for me and wanted to keep me safe. Even as an adult, my mom does so much for me. When she comes to my house, she almost always takes over my kitchen and helps cook the meal. A few weeks back I had emergency surgery to remove my appendix and while I recover she has come over on the weekend to help watch my kids since I can’t do any heavy lifting. She doesn’t have to do this. I am grown up and moved out and it is time for her to go and enjoy her life but she dropped everything to be there for me and my kids.

This made me realize that we never stop being a mom. We will always worry about our kids, no matter how old they are. We will do things for them even when they don’t ask for it. We will love them even when they say “I hate these rules!” or “Why can’t you be like __________’s mom?”

I want to take this time to say “Thanks Mom!” I know I don’t say it enough but I love you and I appreciate EVERYTHING you do for me. I know that sometimes I may even seem ungrateful or get a little frustrated with you but I know I wouldn’t be the person I am if it wasn’t for you. In fact, you have made me the mom that I am today and I couldn’t be more grateful for that. So thank you Mom for being so amazing and taking such good care of us!