To all the mommies in my life –

(and even those not in my life)

Recently, one mommy said that she felt like whatever decision she made for her child was the wrong decision. I’m not sure if she actually felt that way or if that was an expression of her frustration in the face of difficult decisions. However, it is my sincere desire to refute that sentiment.

What you do for your children, every decision you make for them, is always, always the correct and right decision. Why? Because your motives are always aimed at molding your children into the best possible human beings that they can be. Of course, they don’t usually understand that. Tantrums are thrown, unkind words may be said, frustration is expressed, but underneath all the drama are little people whose life is always going to be influenced by what you did for them.

Recently, my son Justin and I were talking about what is important in life. He has a particular liking for new toys and much of his life seems devoted to the acquisition of toys. But we started to talk about the other things that we find important but don’t always recognize as such. The first thing that came to his mind was hugging his mom. He said that when he feels bad or sad, and when he needs something more than a new toy, getting a warm hug from his mom is always the best treatment. “She smells good”, he said.

It would be difficult for me to be able to relate to your relationships with your daughters, but from a man’s perspective the mother-son relationship is quite complex. Without getting into the psychology of the relationship, suffice to say that we are who we are because you are who you are. We are a reflection of your values and beliefs. It may seem that we always trying to gain our freedom and independence and be our own people, but underneath it all is the product of your dreams.

So on this mother’s day of 2007 I would like to thank all the mommies in my life. You have the most demanding jobs in the world. You will never receive the appreciation that you deserve for doing this lifelong job, but you should know very well that you are the most important person in your children’s lives. Thank you for all you have done.

Happy Mother’s Day.

My wonderful mother died when I was young. My Dad remarried, stepmom number one was great to me. 25 years later she died. My Dad remarried a few years later to wonderful stepmom number two. Dad died and my current Stepmom is not in the best of health but she is still a very caring and loving person. I think of My Mom who died 41 years ago every single day but I was blessed with three "Moms." Love to all of you and thanks.

As the mother of two sons, now 20 and 24, I've often felt as if I'm blamed by everyone (them, their father, the outside world in general) any time things go wrong with them. And that I never get any credit for what goes right.

In truth, parenting is a process, and it changes from day to day. Right now I'm in the process of establishing an adult relationship with them, and it's just so amazing. They mostly treat me with respect at this point, and we can discuss all sorts of things, and I enjoy them so very much.

as I said, its the toughest job in the world.

What a beautiful post!

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