Thank you for all that you do. And a HUGE apology for all the hardships we children put you through. For all the sleepless nights, the financial burden of diapers and formula, the spit-up stains on every good shirt you own, the crayon that wont come off the wall, the broken glasses from your past, the spilt milk on the carpet, the messes in the bathroom, the impossible feat of taking kids to the grocery store, the lack of hot water from hour long showers, the constant begging for junk food, giving up the last little debbie brownie EVERY TIME, the soda cans in the bedrooms, the clothes on the floor, the dirt tracks down the hall, the too-quiet mornings when you know children are wreaking silent havok, the trouble of finding kids in storm drains (well, maybe that doesnt apply to everyone), the permanent marker on the wall that makes you miss the days when it was only crayon, the attitudes, the failures, the unfinished chores, the procrastination, the emails to teachers, the enhanced headaches, the banging on the bathroom door every time you have to pee, the screaming, the crying, the selfishness and whining... and so so so much more.
As children, we dont always understand or recognize everything you do. It never occurs to us that you deserve more than one day a year, and that we don't "have to be nice to mom today" just because that's the spirit of the holiday. It's not until you become a mother yourself that you realize just how little you get in return for all the love you give. I cant speak for everyone, but I know that within the first few years of parenthood, the three strongest emotions I felt were love, overwhelming, and a massive amount of guilt. I never helped you enough, never said thank you enough, and I certainly never stepped up to responsibility to prove that your hard work wasn't for nothing.
Well, my unborn child is continuing to give me the gift of nausea this morning, and it seems a second bout of vomiting is close behind. Guess that means I'm done here! Have a good day, moms, and know that you are appreciated.
