Today brings out all the feels for alot of people, self included. And I know we are in a season of let’s make sure we don’t celebrate anything that excludes anyone. So if you are feeling excluded today, I love you. You are seen. Just skip this post.

I think of Mother’s like I think about my Birthday. It’s a day for me. Ironically, both days involve my mother, but I don’t really celebrate her on either day. I celebrate me (Ah, just like an ungrateful offspring, yes?).

While I am more than my boys’ mom, being their mother has taken up the lionshare of my life. There is value in receiving homage. My children have a chance to show compulsory gratitude which I will accept as genuine (Insert chuckle here). I also like to celebrate that I am surviving the challenge (Winky face).

Today will be a day to say thank you to my mother-in-law for raising an amazing man for me to spend my life with. I am so happy he is mine and we created a family together.

Today will be a day to toast from afar my sister and sister-in-law who are in the trenches with me. Raising a mimosa to you amazing mammas! I have five nieces. Dear Lord send manna and money.

Today is a day to high five my girlfriends most with kiddos, some without. Regardless, we mother each other with love and affection and opinion and empathy. Before we were our own selves, we were another woman’s daughter—known or unknown, loved or unloved, difficult or easy—and that leaves marks visible and invisible.

Today will be a day that I acknowledge the range of emotions I have over being a daughter and care taker of my own difficult mother.

Mostly I’m going to celebrate me. My boys are both home. My husband is back from his trip. I am generally healthy. The sun is shining. My roses are blooming. I don’t have to do dishes or cook today, although I’ll probably do laundry since tomorrow is a work and school day.

So Happy Mother’s Day to me and I dare to say, Happy Mother’s Day to you world.

Love Y’all, Marla