Now I get it

My dad called me this morning sounding super excited.  "Happy Mother's Day!" he exclaimed.  It literally took me about 15 seconds to realize that yes, it's true, I'm a mother now and he is talking to me.  I got a hit of confusion, fear (that I'm growing up) and oddly enough... pride.  


I now get it.  I get why there is such a thing as Mother's Day.  It's celebrated on different days in different parts of the world, but I guess most cultures agree that mommies deserve a day where they are honored and told how wonderful they are.   Some may argue that it's just another commercial holiday created by Western businesses to boost revenues (in the U.S. in 2008 Mother's Day generated about 7% of the jewelry industry's annual revenue).  Men may argue that Father's day should exist (it doesn't exist in as many countries as Mother's day does).   And some may say that they don't need a specific day to thank their mothers.  


I now believe that this is a super important holiday that should be taken seriously, really.  Here's why:


1. It's technically 10 months, not 9.  A man must have down played it to 9.  When you're pregnant, you ideally complete the 9th month, which means 10 months.
2. The fact that we know that our bodies will forever change, and never ever look as hot, and still decide (if it wasn't a mistake that is) to get pregnant is such a selfless act.  
3. Breast Feeding.  I'm not sure how many women felt this way,  and this may be offensive to some, but I found breast feeding to be one of the most painful, isolating experiences in my life.  Not to mention making you feel like you will never be attractive to your husband ever again.
4. If there was one word I would use to describe how I feel towards my child, it's devotion.  The sense of purpose and the commitment you automatically have for this little person who you barely know is nuts.  It grows everyday. That's special.
5. I used to roll my eyes when I hear women say that being a mom is a full time job.  It's harder than that.  It's non stop.  It takes energy, multi-tasking, patience, creativity, time management, negotiation skills and so much more to be a mom (and my son is still just 7 months old!)
6. As a mother, you wonder if what you just did, whether it's ignoring your screaming child or running to pick him up is going to affect his personality forever.  This applies to almost every move you make during the kid's waking hours. Phew.  
7. On your shopping sprees, you choose to split the budget between things for your child and things for you.  And you do it happily.  Now that's sacrifice.
8. You are willing to participate in one of those mommy-and-me classes to boost their social skills and development while you quietly wish you can have 5 shots of Tequila to numb the pain.  
9. You actually contemplate, even for a second, stepping into a baby pool.  
10. You are willing to accept that you are no longer the cutest, sweetest person in the household and you don't mind it THAT much.


To my amazing mom, and my sister, and to all the other mommies out there, yes including myself - HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!