Thinking Out Loud
Mom's Day

May 11, 2014
By: Diane Szczepanski

24/7...once you sign on to be a mother, that's the only shift they offer.
Jodi Picoult, My Sister's Keeper

I have discovered being a mom requires equal amounts of hanging on tightly when necessary and letting go when needed and discerning between the two is a full time job.

It requires the sure knowledge that we are there to parent, not be their best friend. We need the strength of an ox, the smarts of a scholar and the fortitude of a soldier, to know we can't strive to be popular or 'cool' with them and they won't always like our decisions.

It takes a well-spring of unrequited love, patience, keen intuition and often times more physical and mental strength than we thought we were capable of.

There are tears, many of them.

Of pain, frustration and worry. But they are balanced with just as many tears of joy and pride and gratefulness. Smiles and laughter are abundant in this career and is one of the finest perks offered in motherhood.

Granted, the pay financially stinks, but the rewards are great and I feel very rich indeed.

Kiss your kids today if you can and hug a mom this Mother's Day.

Say a prayer of thanks for all the mom's no longer with us and give a nod to the strong women out there in the parental trenches, just doing the best they can.

Now, it's back to 'work' for this mom, to the greatest job on earth.

Happy Mother's Day to all.