For 40 years I have been a woman working as opposed to a working woman. Few people have even noticed what I do and even fewer have given me credit for doing something worthwhile. I work 24 hours a day. 7 days a week, 365 days a year and it’s all volunteer, which translates to without salary. I get no sick leave or time off unless you count the time I spent in the hospital for surgery…I am not ashamed to say I begged the doctor for an extra day there, would have taken a week but the insurance wouldn’t cover it. You see, I knew that when I got home there would be no one there to take care of me. That is, no one to lay a cool hand upon my feverish cheek or to read to me while I tried to sleep, cook for me and cut my sandwich just the way I like it… while reassuring me that everything was going to be just fine. There would instead be all the work that had gone undone without me there waiting patiently.

By now you might be wondering what my job is and why anyone in their right mind would want it, much less volunteer for it. Well I wanted it and it comes with benefits that far outweigh money. I’m a Mom!

So Happy Mother’s Day to all you Moms.

P.S…. kids if you really want to know what to get your Mom for Mother’s Day. Let her sleep till noon because she deserves it, you take care of your own breakfast and clean up your mess. When she wakes up give her a big hug, tell her she’s the best Mom ever and you love and appreciate everything she does for you. Best gift ever and it is priceless.