Dear Children

Mother’s Day is coming.

It is a designated day for you to thank me. And you will. Your eager hearts will write notes and thank-you’s while pampering me throughout the day. I will enjoy every minute of your outpouring of love.

But at this moment, I want to thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you for the privilege and honor of being your mother.

I spend my mornings, afternoons, and evenings with you, the most awesome people on the planet.

Thank you for inviting me into your world.

I spend my days witnessing the beauty of your minds. You never cease to amaze me with your ideas, questions, creations, and thoughts. I am so grateful that you invite me into your games, your ponderings, your plans, and your dreams.

Thank you for the giggles.

For the giggles, the belly laughs, and the hysterically funny moments that we have every day. There is not a day that goes by that I don’t laugh.

I can’t think of many jobs in the world that offer laughter as a guarantee in the job description! I am so lucky that the things you say, the way you say them, and your random observations keep a smile on my face.

Thank you for your snuggles and hugs.

When you were babies, your snuggles were the most peaceful part of my life. Just holding your precious body in my arms brought contentment that nothing else in this world can offer.

These days, you no longer fit in my arms, but the snuggles are still there. Mostly they happen on the sofa during the day while we read, watch a show, or chat. Occasionally I get a bedtime snuggle when I have a few moments to spend relaxing with one of you before lights out.

Of course, there isn’t anything much sweeter than a random hug followed by, “I love you, Mommy!”

Now let’s be honest about motherhood.

There are times that aren’t picture perfect. Many times. There are times of exhaustion, sickness, frustration, and anxiety. This is true. There are arguments, harsh words, and a feeling of stumbling through life together sometimes.

But that is why I thank you for your forgiveness.

I have made mistakes as your mother, and there is no doubt that I will make more. You are with me every day, so you see my selfishness, anger, laziness, and mistakes. But you forgive me and continue to give love in return. Thank you. I will have to ask your forgiveness regularly and I thank you so dearly for it.

Thank you for helping me become a better me.

I don’t think you will quite understand this for a long time to come. But hear this: You have not stolen my time or my identity as a person. Sure, I don’t have time for some of the hobbies I used to have, but the person I am today was shaped by you.

Living with you, raising you, and participating in your lives has taught me and shaped me in a way that life never did before. I am less judgemental, more compassionate, more patient, and a less busy person today than I was in the past.

You have helped shape my priorities, my personality, and my faith into a stronger version of what was, and I have no doubt that you will continue to do so. Thank you for the moments that can’t be captured by words.

Moments of sheer joy, fascination, love, surprise, and faith. They are treasures to me every day.

The beauty of it all is that it is considered part of my “job” to take you on adventures, walk the greenway paths, splash in the pool, cuddle up to a good movie, and have interesting discussions about myths that we think should be “busted.”

Apparently, my particular motherhood job also includes reading good books to you while we eat muffins…

Now, I know that we have our rough moments. Some days we are burdened with appointments, family illness, boring tasks, and things like…math. On those days and in those moments, I thank you for your patience.

I thank you for being with me and living out the mundane moments of life together.

We may not always live it perfectly, but we live it together and I can think of no better way to spend my mundane.

Raising you. Parenting you. Being with you. It is not my job. It is my JOY.

On this Mother’s Day, I thank you for the privilege of being your mom. I look forward to decades upon decades of laughter, joy, forgiveness, and special moments together.

Love,