I stand all amazed...

at the job of single moms.

Because, let's face it, 

kids don't 'get' Mother's Day,

Anymore than they 'get' 'mommy is sick' days.

When it comes right down to it, 

the (adequate) celebration of Mothers Day (read:  dinners magically prepared, dishes washed and put away, poopy diapers changed all day long),

It falls squarely on the shoulders of dad.

And today, as I was laying in bed

listening to the sounds of spring outside my window

that harmonized perfectly with the clinking and clanking in the kitchen

As my hubby directed the breakfast-making kids, 

I was suddenly hit by the fact that there are (way too many) homes 

where there is a dom...

a mom... 

who also plays dad...

and carries the stress load of twice the legal limit

and somehow still puts a smile on her face as she greets her sweet kiddos

and gets up on Mother's Day to cook her own meals.

And forges through the day in and day out of caring for her most treasured possessions.

and waits until they are all softly asleep 

before letting her tears fall

and her fears show.

And then gets up the next day

to go through it all again.

Knowing that her pain and her stress and her struggles 

Will someday work out.

And these children she is rearing 

Will rise up and thank her

For going through the trenches

to feed them, and clothe them, and most importantly 

to love them and teach them.

And do it singlehandedly, the absolute best that she knows how.

And relies on God to give her the strength to do it when she doesn't know how.

She is a true hero to me, wherever she is.

My mother in law is one such amazing woman.

She raised my husband.

And his brother 

and his sister.

Alone.

And did an amazingly wonderful job.

Thank you, Sue.

For raising my husband, best friend, and father of my children.

Thank you for bringing him into the world.

And raising him in your world.

So that he could become my world.

Happy Mother's Day.