Gratitude

Tomorrow is my mom’s birthday and so it is time for her annual birthday slice since her birthday falls in March. For the last few years, I’ve leaned on my children to help, sharing their own stories and favorite moments with my mom. But I’ve had some of my own thoughts swimming around in my head about my mom lately.

At our house, we’re in the stage of life where we are constantly moving. We live by the calendar to keep track of all the moving parts and coordinate drop offs and pickups-who needs what. How will dinner fit in?

Recently, all of the juggling to accommodate my three kids and their schedules feels thankless. They don’t always realize the work and effort that goes into getting them to and from school and all of their activities. They often complain about dinner. “The crockpot again?” My most repeated line these days is, “I’m doing my best.” There are many days where my best doesn’t feel good enough. Sometimes, I just want my kids to realize that everything I do is because I love and care about them so much.

This brings me back to my mom. I look back at my childhood and all of the ways my mom took care of me and my siblings. She was a stay at home mom and literally, everything she did was for us. I’ve been peeking back at the days of my own afterschool activities, playdates, and school activities. I see the clean laundry that was always ready when I needed it and the packed lunches. I can hear myself complaining about little things, huffing and puffing and holding grudges.

I didn’t notice or say thank you enough.

Today, my heart spills for gratitude for all of the sacrifices and little things I once took for granted. I now know how my mom must have felt and, while it may be too late, I hope she knows I see her.

Thank you mom. I love you.