Today is Mother's Day in the United States of America. So I want to wish all of the mothers and mother figures a very happy Mother's Day. You all deserve it!
Of all the "Hallmark Holidays", Mother's Day is my favorite. It is the one day a year where we are encouraged to look back and think of all of the sacrifices our mothers have made for us. It can be a tough day for those whose mothers are no longer with us, but I hope even those people are able to focus on the joy their mothers brought.
And when I include "mother figures" in the celebration, I truly mean it. Some of the most incredible mothers I know have never give birth to a child of their own. For example, Cheryl, the teaching assistant who I have worked with for over 20 years has hundreds of children even though she has never given birth even once. I often joke that Cheryl is the mom of our classroom... but it is not a joke to the countless kids who have looked forward to seeing her every day.
Not every student has a stable home life. Not every student has a person who will love them unconditionally at home. But if Cheryl, knows them, every student has someone in their life that will give them the love and encouragement they deserve.
Cheryl is the most kind and patient person I have ever worked with. She remembers every kids' birthday and knows all about there interests and hobbies. She is always the first person to ask them about their weekend and to wish them luck on their upcoming track race, musical performance, or test.
Cheryl will stay after school to help any kid who needs it. She shows up on parent teacher conference nights (even though she is not paid to do so). She wants parents to see that their child is well taken care of by school. When I introduce Cheryl at these nights, I show a picture of an Angel on the screen, because that is what she is to so many children.
There are plenty of employees in a school dedicated to providing discipline. Others are experts in providing social work services. But how many people are just there to give positive attention to kids? Every kid (even teenagers) craves that feeling of saying "Look at me on the swing" and having an adult actually look. Cheryl does that all day long. Cheryl will celebrate even the smallest victory with our students. They, and I, are truly blessed to have her.
Although I dedicated this post to mother figures, please do not think I forgot the most wonderful mother in the world... my wife Helen.
The four of us spent today having fun, eating food she did not have to cook, playing games and reminiscing about old cartoons she would watch with our children when they were young. I also thanked her for her incredible selflessness in caring for our children all of these years. There is nothing she would not sacrifice for their well being. They, and I, are truly blessed to have her.
So Happy Mother's Day to all of the mothers out there.
What is the funniest memory you have of your mother or the mother of your children?