This Mother’s Day feels different. It’s the first time in 21 years that my daughter, Amanda,
is not with me on Mother's Day. She’s away at college—out of state—and while we’ll be seeing each other next week (I’m flying out so we can drive home together for the summer), today will be quiet. Different. Tender.
Even when she gets home, life won't be quite the same anymore. She has a full-time summer job lined up. She has a
boyfriend. She has a whole world of her own that she’s growing into—and as proud as I am, there’s still a soft ache that things are changing. We’re entering the “almost empty nest” stage, where the house is quieter and the calendar doesn’t revolve around school plays, last-minute sleepovers, or pizza nights on the couch.
But you know
what? The moments we do get to share now are golden. A car ride with a mix of our favorite music. Coffee runs where we catch up on everything and nothing. Laughing in the kitchen over inside jokes no one else would understand. I treasure them all—perhaps even more than I did when they were part of the everyday.
This year, as I reflect
on Mother’s Day, I’m thinking not just of my own experience, but of all the different forms motherhood takes. The truth is, this day belongs to more than just moms in the traditional sense.
It belongs to the moms who are in the thick of it—tired, maybe even overwhelmed, but showing up every day with love, snacks, and band-aids at the
ready.
It belongs to the moms who are waiting—waiting for a child through adoption, or longing for one through heartbreak.
It belongs to the moms who are grieving, carrying
the memory of a child they’ve lost with them every day. You are never forgotten.
It belongs to the women who step in as mother figures—grandmothers, aunts, mentors, teachers—shaping lives with compassion, guidance, and patience.
It belongs to the moms who are navigating estranged relationships, who don’t always know where they stand, but continue to love deeply from afar.
It belongs to the “dog moms” and “cat moms” whose hearts are full of the unconditional love of a fur baby who sees them as
their whole world.
It belongs to stepmoms, foster moms, and chosen moms. The ones who weren’t “first” but chose to love fiercely anyway.
And it belongs to women who never had
children, but who nurture and uplift everyone around them with a maternal instinct that is unmistakable.
Motherhood isn’t just one thing. It’s a thousand little things, done day in and day out, often without fanfare or recognition. It’s wiping tears, packing lunches, making tough calls, letting go, holding on, and loving in all the
ways that matter most.
So this Mother’s Day, whether your house is filled with little feet or long silences, whether you’re celebrating with hugs or with memories, I hope you feel seen. I hope you feel honored. And I hope you take a moment for yourself—because what you do matters, and who you are is enough.
From one mother’s heart to yours…
Happy Mother’s Day!
On another note, I recommend...
My carefully curated list of clever kitchen tools cuts down on food prep—so you can spend less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying your meals. Each item is practical, efficient, and a real helper
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