Are You My Mother?
When my husband and I first married, he was new not only to our household, but also to step-parenting. That first Mother's Day he asked, "What would you like for Mother's Day?" rather than help my young son make a card or pick out a gift.
"I'm not your mother!" I said. Harsh. Was it because my ex-husband never encouraged our son to give me a gift or a card? Was I taking a stand on how ridiculous a notion setting aside a special day for mothers was when we all know "every day is Mother's Day." Oh no sarcasm. Those were my mother's words.
Our first year together was loaded with baggage like that. Slowly, together, we sifted out who we were amidst parents, ex-partners, and children.
Last Mother's Day my husband created a custom invitation and envelope that arrived in the mail inviting me, by name, to join them for a special celebration at a favorite restaurant I had mentioned. It was so authentic that I thought it had come from the Chef personally. When I realized the time, thought and creativity that went into making that card, I realized with certainty, that every woman wants to be acknowledged for being a good mother...on Mother's Day and every other.