Is it Mother's Day?

I wouldn't know since we don't celebrate it in our house.

Or any other "Hallmark Holidays" for that matter.

And, oh yes, Christmas and birthdays are also Hallmark Holidays, at least according to my husband.

I don't need a special day to know my children love me. Even if they don't always express it, I know they appreciate what I do for them. The outstretched arms, the sticky kisses, the cries for Mommy in the middle of the night are enough for me. Really. I know they are not capable of putting together a nice breakfast or a fancy gift. But you know what? My husband is.

Eh, I know I could write a soliloquy of how my life is so fullfilled no gift could ever outweigh the joy I feel having birthed from my fruitful womb these little shining stars. Yada, yada, yada......Love. My. Kids. So. Very. Grateful.

But you know what, why do other women get to have a special day to lift them up while I have scrubbed two or our toilets, wiped two poopy butts, and cleaned up the kitchen all while my husband is having his usual Sunday morning off?

Hmmmm.....

Why does my mother-in-law get eighty dollars worth of hand-delivered flowers while I'm told to skip the grocery trip this week because things are tight?

Derick's birthday always falls on our around Mother's Day. He says he doesn't need anything but every year I do something because what if this is the year he comes through on Mother's Day? What if I didn't have anything for him? So on Tuesday, my husband will open a brand new Blu-Ray player. Today, I will still take a shower with my two youngest children looking on. I will clean and tidy the house. I will prepare our lunch and our dinner. I will bathe the children. I will put them to bed.

And while I feel completely underappreciated as my husband's maid and nanny, I am completely sated with the love of my children.

And my mother.

I don't remember my dad ever celebrating this day with her. The only gifts she received were the hand made masterpieces toted lovingly home from school. She most likely cooked and cleaned for us on this day and never complained because that's just how she is. My mom. She rocks.

And aside from this post, I won't complain either. I'll smile as I'm mopping the floors and laugh when someone spills something on it five minutes later. I'll watch Gabba and play princesses and listen to never-ending stories about the current Lego creation. I will appreciate my children the way I know my mother appreciated us.

And that. Might be the biggest gift of all.

And it only took me 41 years to figure it out.

Happy Mothers Day to all ya'll!