The Mother’s Day List

There’s a ritual to Mother’s Day that unfolds somewhat predictably each year. While I sleep in, or at least lounge peacefully in bed, my family cooks breakfast. The hustle and bustle in the kitchen eventually gives way to the patter of footsteps headed for the bedroom door and a delicious breakfast, along with presents and handmade cards, is delivered to my bed. The cards are always cute, but this year there was one that I just might frame.

I don’t think I’m unusual in feeling overworked at times. This isn’t a bad thing, not even a complaint, more like a statement of fact. It doesn’t matter if you work at home, in an office, or if you don’t have a “real job” outside of raising your kids. Moms are busy. We juggle a lot and sometimes all that juggling can make your head explode.

Most days my head stays intact, but some days it’s threatening to slowly split apart like in that scene from Total Recall. I feel like the kids don’t notice all those boring mom things that I have to do every day that cause the occasional Total Recall moment. The card I got from my 9-year-old on Sunday morning proved me wrong.

It had a list inside, and the list started like this…

and ended like this…

Now, it’s not like I am looking for my kids to pat me on the back. I’m a mom. I do what I do because I love my kids and I want them to be happy and, did I mention I love my kids? But when laundry needs to be done, dishes need to be washed, and cupcakes need to be baked at the last minute, it’s nice to know that they really do notice.

Why am I telling you all this? Because I know that I’m not the only mom sometimes overwhelmed by mom stuff. So the next time you’re about to have a Total Recall moment, remember The Mother’s Day list. Your kids see it all and are mostly just really, really glad that you’re their mommy.