Mother's Day 2016

This Mother's Day is the first year that I've actually had a baby out here in the world with me and it has been very sweet. I've caught myself just seconds before tears come at how happy I am and how sweet my little boy is - and then I am reminded of my work when Zane is doing all he can to crawl off the bed I am so haphazardly trying to snuggle him on.

Being a mother is one of the most precious things that has ever happened to me. Each day I am struck by how cool Zane is, how independent he tries to be, and the fact that I get to be here to witness it all. I've never really looked at someone and loved all of them and been amazed by just how cool their personality is. But with Zane, I could watch him all day. All of the growls, all of the proud, cheesy grins, all of the early morning singing and all of the stink eyes in the car. All of the snot and throw up and poop too. And all of the moments where we curl up with a book and Zane pays attention for a whole 3 minutes before he all of a sudden decides he needs an exorcism that exact moment. 

Yesterday to celebrate Mother's Day, we loaded up our bikes, the bike trailer we've been borrowing, and a lunch that my husband packed and set off for a bike ride. We rode 6 miles uphill to this secluded little dock where the water was just high enough to dip your toes in. Blooming lily pads decorated the lake and cotton flew through the air. It was like we had our own little slice of paradise. We sat on the dock long enough to cool off from our bike ride and take in the view. I continually fall in love over and over again seeing Mitch take care of Zane. It is the sweetest of bonds that those two have. I am so grateful for a day where my husband does everything he can to make sure that I can feel that sweet peace of being with my family. 

I am so grateful for a day where I can celebrate the wonderful women in my life, those that have children and those that don't. Mother's Day as a single adult was just a day where I thought about all of the women who helped me be who I was. Mother's Day now as a mother has changed my entire perspective. I instead reflect on the qualities of a woman - powerful, compassionate, nurturing - and I reflect on how those qualities have been passed on to me through strong women's examples, some childless and some not. 

On this day, I am so grateful for the example of women who showed me what it means to be compassionate. I am in awe that some women seem to carry the world on their shoulders when it comes to compassion - how they are able to see a need and fill a need, even outside of family bonds. I can think of many amazing women who do this daily and I hope to become more like them.

I am also inspired by the many women who are powerful. Their power comes in many different forms but all of them have inspired me by their strength and endurance; whether it is battling depression or anxiety, being physically strong, standing up for what is right, or just simply being who they are, these strong women have made such an impact in my life. 

Perhaps though, it is the nurturing women I love the most. The women who were able to love little old me and all of my stink. Women who were able to look at me, a rambunctious little terror, and show me so much kindness and love when I thought I needed it and when I insisted that I didn't. And the women that were able to do this with all of the rough and tumble gang that is my family. 

Thank you, Mom. Thank you, Grandma, and thank you, women everywhere who have shown me the qualities that I hope to emulate throughout my life.