Mother's Day is Coming!

Mother's Day is only 2 weeks away! How did that happen?

Tonight Math asked me if I had special requests for Mother's Day -- and I was amazed to discover that it's not far away. I had to admit that I hadn't given it any thought whatsoever. It just didn't seem possible that it's so close.

Mother's Day is important to me. It's a special opportunity to reflect and to express love and gratitude for the moms in my life. There are four Moms I especially need to remember: my mom, my mother-in-law, my daughter and my daughter-in-law [moms to my grandkiddoes] are all very dear and I love them immensely. I have learned so much from them and I'm proud to be a part of their lives. I'm grateful for the examples they are and I want to be like them.

One of them raised me, loved me and taught me, despite my smart mouth and cranky attitude. I repaid that by moving away from home at age 18 and never coming back to stay. But she still loves me and makes that clear.

One of them accepted me into her family and allowed me to whisk her only son and youngest child away and turn him into a husband and father. She still loves me too, and I've always appreciated her willingness to share.

One of those moms is our only daughter. I have spent my life loving her, learning from her and enjoying every second I've had with her.

One of them is a daughter of the heart. Tara was my very first in-law and she is someone I was happy to give my son to because I knew she loved him like I do.

Each one is my friend, and they're all wonderful moms. They are all very different and I'm sure I try their patience regularly. But I love each one and will always be thankful for their roles in my life.

And they all love me too. I think.

Blessed. That's me.