I know it’s Sunday and I’m not supposed to post or I’ll feel really, really, really guilty that I should be spending time with my family. Well, guess what? I’m writing this on Friday. Randy’s at work and Julia’s at school and the only thing I have to feel guilty about at the moment is the fact that I had chips before 10 am.

ANYWAY….Since this is a mommy blog, I couldn’t let Mother’s Day go by without a word!  I mean, after all, I wouldn’t be here were it not for the fact that Julia came out of my uterus….literally. I didn’t dilate. Not one lousy centimeter!

ANYWAY AGAIN! I want to acknowledge all the Mammakazes out there who are daily killing themselves by trying to do it all: work, maintain a marriage and raise healthy, happy kids without screwing any of it up too badly. Because as any therapist will tell you, it’s always the mother’s fault.

I know what you go through every day. We all do. Because we all go through it too. There’s a lot of self-sacrifice involved. The fact that you haven’t had a pedicure since before Christmas is a daily reminder of that. Unless you’re like me and avoid looking at your feet.

Everyday, you give so much of yourself to those around you that, by the end of the day, there isn’t much left for you. Of  you in fact. There are days when you look at yourself in the mirror and wonder what happened to me? Where did I go? Did I ever even exist? Oh wait. That’s ME. Sorry. Never mind.

Bottom line. It’s great being a mom. I’m proud to be! Okay, also sometimes really exhausted and irritated by it- but generally always very proud. And usually always gratified.

So Happy Mother’s Day to all you Mommies! I hope today is filled brunches you don’t have to cook, pedicures you actually have time to get and those handmade cards that look like scrap paper to the un-mommified eye, but are treasures worth a king’s ransom to you. 

Now for a personal shout-out to some of my peeps! Oh, who am I kidding? I don’t even know what that means.

I just want to say HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY to some of the mommies in my life.

You are my friends. You lift me up when I’m down. You make me laugh. You listen and hold my hand when I cry or am afraid. You talk me down off my ledge when I’m really certain that I did something to permanently screw up my kid. You share your experience and advice AND the occasional cocktail. You inspire my stories. You inspire me.

 

Angelica – ever the doting mom, the love is in the details – hairstyles so perfect they put Gumball Alley to shame.

Ann – we both took the long road to mommyhood. But look how great it turned out! You approach motherhood with the same passion you approached your work. And it shows!

Cathy – you show your kids every day that a woman can be powerful and successful at her job and still be a terrific mommy.  A great example.

Dawn – one of my first mommy friends, who gave up her own promising career to devote herself to mommyhood…and so fabulously too I might add! Glad we’re back in touch!

Dianne – a working mom who crams in 40 hour work weeks into three days so she can be there for her kids for the rest of the week. And man, the cool stuff you plan for them all the time! I bow down to you!

Erin – funny and outgoing, your girls inherited those genes…and the “love of musicals” gene too. Mamma Mia!

Jacque -raising a teenage boy on your own is not easy. But you make it look like it is. You should be proud of yourself!

Jennie – who, as Julia puts it “is always up for anything”, is always there when you need her and is raising two of the most well-mannered boys west of the Rockies.

Johanna – despite a demanding career, you’re always there for your kids, showing them every day and every way that they’re number one in your life. You’re a good mom.

Maureen – two times the mom, with twice the love to give. And ever the optimist. A great gift to give your girls.

Patrice – she of infinite patience and sweet disposition. I’ve NEVER heard you raise your voice. Julia WISHES she had you for a mommy!

Robin – with that wit, your kids will grow up to face life with a sense of humor. Who wouldn’t want you for a mommy? I want you for a mommy!

Suzie – the supermommy without whom the local elementary school would collapse – a devoted mom and volunteer that none of us can keep up with! I’m exhausted just thinking about it. I’m gonna go lie down now.

Terena – so caring, sweet, gentle, kind and nuturing. So in tune with your children and their needs.  So giving to them and to others. So lucky they are to have you for a mom.

 

Thanks ladies. You’re my fellow mammakazes!