A Special Mother's Day Note

Don't get me wrong - I'm not meaning to exclude any very worthy mamas this Mother's Day. However, this is my first Mother's Day as a mother. My sweet little cherub is 10 months old and, as everyone said it would, time is flying by. I've done a lot of thinking about the ups and downs of my newfound job of being a mom...

But this post isn't about me. It isn't even about first-time mothers. This post is dedicated to the mothers of special needs children. I'm dedicating my first mother's day to all of you. I know it isn't much, but it is the least I can do.

In the last 10 months, I have learned that motherhood is the most important, amazing job that there ever was (for me). It is also, in large part, the most thankless one. I think back to many memories of ALL the things that my mom did for me, and I'm starting to sympathize now with her on a whole new level. I didn't realize all the things she did for me at the time. Some, sure, but not all.

But again, this post isn't about me. And this post isn't about pity. It isn't about empathy, either. In fact, I cannot say that I understand what it is like to have a kiddo with special needs. But, mamas out there, I can tell you that I can only imagine an inkling of how hard some days must be, and for that, I take my hat off to you guys. Because there are some days I am stomping my feet and throwing a fit because I didn't get to the laundry, my kid didn't take a nap, and I don't want to make dinner. REALLY?

So, Happy Mother's Day to all the mamas out there with kiddos with special needs. You're the real hero in my book.

This is for all the mothers who have forgone any semblance of a workout schedule or a clean house to take your kiddo to therapies and doctors appointments.... Happy Mother's Day, mama.

This is for all the mothers who are plagued with guilt and thoughts that maybe things could have been different if only you had done something differently.... Happy Mother's Day, mama.

This is for all the mothers who are so stressed about medical bills, they don't even know what to do about it ..... Happy Mother's Day, mama.

This is for all the mothers whose friendships, relationships and even marriages have suffered because of how life changed since your special needs angel was born.... Happy Mother's Day, mama.

This is for all the mothers who don't want to take their kiddo out to the park to play with other kiddos because she doesn't want other kiddos to hurt her kiddo's feelings.... Happy Mother's Day, mama.

This is for all the mothers who are advocates for their children, fighting for what is best for them - with school districts, health insurance, whoever and whatever gets in your way... Happy Mother's Day, mama.

This is for the mothers who are sometimes at a loss for what exactly they can do to help their kiddo... Happy Mother's Day, mama.

This is for the mothers who seem to know exactly what their kiddos want and need, even if the kiddos can't tell them themselves..... Happy Mother's Day, mama.

This is for the mothers who love bread but have thrown out every last piece of gluten-ridden food in their house to abide by a special diet for their kiddo.... Happy Mother's Day, mama.

This is for the mothers who go to bed every night emotionally drained, but somehow get up the next morning and does it all over again.... Happy Mother's Day, mama.

This is for the mothers who still don't get any decent sleep throughout the night for the last 4 years because their kiddo still doesn't sleep well... Happy Mother's Day, mama.

This is for all the mothers whose little angels may not be able to say "Happy Mother's Day" or make a cute homemade card at school..... Happy Mother's Day, mama.

This Mother's Day is for you, mamas. Admiration does not even begin to describe what I have for you, from one mother to another. Happy Mother's Day, mamas!