What Matters Most

I was thinking the other day about Amy and Celisa.

Both are full time stay at home moms. To some it may not sound like much but in reality it's one of the hardest and most important jobs ever. It's hard in many ways but two things come to mind

#1 It's not a 40 or even 50 hour work week. You are actively involved or on call 24/7 for 18 years and then some. #2 The pay for what you do today comes in little hugs and smiles but the real pay day will probably not come for years. You deal with accidents of all kinds, messes, fits, crying, disrupted schedules, quick showers and meltdowns. You understand a different language and translate for others and help your little ones learn to do things that would be so much easier (and done much better) if you were to do it yourself. But you see into their future and want what's best for them so you help them pick up their toys and clothes, allow them to walk around the house in things that may not match, spend endless time admiring their creations and reading the same favorite books over and over and over and over till you could read them in your sleep, and sometimes you do.

It's important because you are creating habits and expectations and feelings of love and security that will be with and influence these precious children for a life time and beyond. These children will be the leaders of tomorrow and you are making a difference today, each day, each moment. Sometimes amid the tears, the dishes and dirty laundry (dirty diapers too) the messes and melt downs it's easy to loose that perspective... and little ones don't often say thank you when you insist they obey or wear shoes or take a bath... (sometimes they say your mean or don't like you)
so I'll say it

THANK YOU 

Moms everywhere, and especially Amy and Celisa we love you and appreciate what you are doing. Someday they will grow up and leave, just like you are raising them to do. 

They are not this age forever.
But what you do each day matters a lot
and some day they will thank you too.

PS Thanks mom!