As we approach Mother’s Day weekend, I wanted to extend my special and heartfelt thanks to all of the other mothers. I know we all love and honor our mothers this weekend. They were undoubtedly our first and best example of how to be a mother. However, we would not survive this gig without the our mothers-in-arms.
There’s so many of them and I’ve talked about them before, but it’s worth mentioning again. First, there’s the mothers that knew you back when you were doing keg stands in college and now you’re all mothers together—how did that happen? These girls are your home, your heart and a sounding board that has absolutely no problem telling you when they think you’re doing it wrong. They are also the first to line up to tell you just how much you’re doing right and that you are all the mom your kids could need even though you have no idea what you’re doing. They provide you solace because you started down this road together–clueless, but their kids seem to be pretty great, so surely that translates.
Then there are the moms with older kids. The blessed women who have blazed this trail before you and are here to tell you “it’s not a big deal.” They are the voice of reason, the light at the end of your tunnel and your assurance that there’s a better than average chance that you might make it. These ladies are the first to tell you it will all be alright, to assure you that you’re a good mom and to laugh when you tell them your fears about the third grade. They are your examples and your warnings. You love them for it.
Lastly, there are your younger friends. You get to share your wisdom (maybe experience is a better word) with them. They’re here to remind you that you’ve accomplished something. You’ve lived through a stage of childhood and came out on the other side. They make you feel competent that you successfully parented a human for a few years longer than someone else. You need any sense of accomplishment you can get in this motherhood game. They afford you this luxury and give you the opportunity to pay it forward like your friend with older kids did for you. Circle of life!
You see, I wanted to acknowledge all of the amazing moms I’m surrounded with each day. These are the women I am fortunate enough to call my friends. I am profoundly grateful for what they bring to my life. I’m certain that one of the greatest gifts of motherhood is the friends you make along the way. The women that are in the trenches with you—doing 439 loads of laundry a week, packing a million lunches and making more stops than an Uber driver. The girls that know when you need to vent for twenty minutes. The friends that will tell you, “stop worrying, your kids are fine.” The sisters that will stick by your side when things get rough and bring tissues, dinner or wine as necessary.
So, let’s celebrate. Tell all of your friends that help you make it through the tough days and celebrate you on the good days how amazing they are. Tell them what they mean to you. Sure, it takes a village, but we’re more than a village—we’re a sophisticated, modern, industrialized city and we’re here to raise each other up. We’re here to love each other and support each other. We are the surprise gift that no one told us about—Happy Mother’s Day!