This time of year there are lots of words said about moms. There are flowery and funny and touching cards to moms. There are blogs about what it means to be a mom, essays about why we love being a mom, and passive-aggressive rants about how hard it is to be a mom. There are television commercials, magazine ads, and mail order catalogs telling us what moms “really” want for Mother’s Day.
Despite the abundance of words thrown about regarding moms this time of year, sometimes all it takes is a few simple and heartfelt words to speak volumes. Which is why, this Mother’s Day, I have only five words that I’d like to say to my mom.
Thank you, and I’m sorry.
For the deliriously painful labor and delivery you endured to bring me into this world.
Thank you, and I’m sorry.
For holding me and rocking me and rubbing my back every night for years because I was what they like to call a “challenging” baby.
Thank you, and I’m sorry.
For dealing with my numerous tantrums and high-maintenance demands because I was what they like to call a “difficult” child.
Thank you, and I’m sorry.
For coming to school countless times during my first year of school to wipe my tears, even though you had a newborn and a toddler at home and were desperate for just a few hours with one less child around.
Thank you, and I’m sorry.
For managing every single sibling fight with patience and grace.
Thank you, and I’m sorry.
For surviving every single trip to the grocery store with three whiny kids in tow, begging for sugary cereal and candy bars.
Thank you, and I’m sorry.
For surviving years upon years of sleep deprivation, whether due to pregnancy discomforts, erratic newborn feeding schedules, toddler nightmares, school-age sleepovers, or teenage curfew extensions.
Thank you, and I’m sorry.
For giving up entire weekends to sit in a hot, sweaty, stinky swimming pool to watch me compete. For 12 years.
Thank you, and I’m sorry.
For opening your house and refrigerator to countless troops of neighborhood friends.
Thank you, and I’m sorry.
For taking care of me whenever I was sick, especially that time that I vomited in a towel on the snorkeling boat and then proceeded to drop said towel with said vomit all over your legs.
Thank you, and I’m sorry.
For dealing with my teenage drama over friends, boys, clothes, hair, school, and just about everything.
Thank you, and I’m sorry.
For sacrificing your own hopes and dreams to help make the hopes and dreams of your children possible.
Thank you, and I’m sorry.
For waiting all these years to hear me say that I love you beyond measure, admire you beyond comparison, and appreciate you beyond words (especially these five simple words).
Thank you. And I’m sorry.
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14 Comments
Love this!! Great way to say what all mothers hope to hear some day 🙂 I feel the same way about my mom.
Thanks, Jay! The “I’m sorry” part has become especially important lately now that I’m getting a taste of my own medicine.
This is what I want to say to my mom, too. I LOVED this.
Happy Mother’s Day to you, too!
Thanks so much, Natalie.
LOVE this!!
Thanks! Happy Mother’s Day to you.
Beautiful and touching. She sounds like a wonderful mom.
Happy Mother’s Day to you and your mom!
Thanks. Same to you, Steph!
These 5 words say more than pages and pages could say. Beautifully written!
Vicky
Thanks, Vicky!
I LOVE this post and I’m SORRY to say I’m going to share it widely! 😉 You have perfectly captured the beauty and the pain of motherhood. You have such a way with words, Christie – so beautiful and moving and always so right on. I hope you have your own wonderful Mother’s Day!
Thanks, Kathy! And thanks for sharing. I appreciate it so, so much. Happy Mother’s Day to you too.
Your mom sounds amazing. And incredibly fortunate to have such a loving, insightful daughter. Here’s to our moms! Enjoy your day tomorrow. Happy Mother’s Day to you both!
Thanks, Mary. Happy moms day to you too.