One day

I know there’s many of you who won’t get what you really want for Mother’s Day.

Pedicures are great. Flowers are beautiful. Massages are wonderful. But that’s not what you want.

I know all you want is one day. One day where you don’t have to worry. A full 24 hours where your mind is free from thinking of all of the what-ifs.

What if he never talks? What if I never hear is sweet voice call out to me?

What if he never walks? What if we have to transfer and carry his growing body everywhere?

What if he gets sick? What if he’s exposed to too many germs when we head out to the party and falls ill?

What if we end up in the hospital? What if his illness gets out of control and the answers aren’t there?

What if we can’t care for him any longer? There may come a time when we aren’t capable of caring for him, and the thought of putting him somewhere else is too much to bear.

What if we lose him?

The “what ifs” are never-ending and always circling in your mind. I know they are, because they’re in mine. They’re not always at the forefront day-to-day but I know they linger, always ready to push their way to the front. The leave you hugging your child, thankful for another day. Never truly giving you a second where you can take a deep breath and enjoy a worry-free moment.

I know you want a day where your mind is not only free of the “what ifs” but also free of the “to-dos.”

Respond to your piling up emails.

Request and send medical records.

Call to make appointments.

Schedule the procedures.

Order the supplies and refill prescriptions.

Make sure the daily cares get done and the home therapy program.

The list goes on and on. Even on Mother’s Day.

I know that as you enjoy your first cup of coffee, *hopefully* brought to you in bed, you will be making mental notes of things you need to get done.

The what ifs and to-dos unfortunately don’t take a break just because it’s Mother’s Day.

I want you to know that you are amazing.

You are appreciated.

You are incredibly brave.

You are loved.

You are a warrior mama.

With your mind racing, thoughts piling up, you still have room to be thankful. Room to be extremely grateful.

Grateful for your child who has taught you to be humble.

Taught you to extend grace.

Taught you to look on the bright side.

Taught you to see the good in people.

Showed you that you don’t always need words to teach a lesson.

Showed you that being different is amazing.

Taught you that no matter what, you never ever give up.

Made you realize you are much stronger than you ever thought you could be.

Taught you that standing up and advocating with a loud voice is necessary.

And your child has shown you that life is more than what you have and it truly is who you have in it.

This Mother’s Day you may not get what you really want, but you already have the most important things in life.

Happy Mother’s Day to all of the warrior mama’s out there.