“Happy Valentine’s Day, Mommy.” My three-year-old looked up at me, smiling wide. “Oh!” her eyes popped, “No, I mean, Happy Muzzah’s Day!” She giggled, and my heart swelled.
“Thank you, sweetheart.” I crouched on my heels, cupped her chin and brushed my thumb across her cheek. Had this been May 12, her remarks would’ve been sweet enough. But Mother’s Day was still a week away, so I chuckled.
Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day. . . eh, who’s counting? In my daughter’s mind, the sentiment was clear. Both holidays celebrate love.
And I am the first love of her life.
So Monday through Sunday last week—about twenty random times a day—my little one chirped, “Happy Muzzah’s Day!” or sometimes “Happy Valentine’s Day!” And her words puffed up my soul.
Because why shouldn’t every day be Mother’s Day? After all, parenting isn’t an isolated Hallmark event. It’s an everyday adventure.
It’s the laundry baskets overflowing with muddy socks and shirts. It’s the carpet caked with Play-Doh and Dora band-aids taped on knees.
It’s standing in line, tapping our feet, while the pharmacy mixes medicine. It’s chasing naked bottoms into bubbly tubs, and trotting two steps behind training wheels.
Parenting applauds the loudest at T-ball and ballet. It breaks up sibling squabbles. It clips coupons for Visine. It gives more than it takes, and it prays, prays, prays.
So when should a mother’s credit be due?
In the hour a wrinkled baby is born beautiful into this world.
And again the day that baby first sits tall in a kindergarten desk; crosses the stage in a cap and gown; laughs as she stuffs a satin skirt into her wedding limousine.
Someday when that baby holds her own sweet baby swaddled in her arms.
That is Mother’s Day.
It’s not something we do once a year. It’s a lifetime of who we are.
“Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: ‘Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.’ Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate,” (Proverbs 31: 28–31).
So although the calendar says Mother’s Day has come and gone, I know better. Because today, I get to do it all over again.
I get to be a mom.
And so do you.
Happy Muzzah’s Day!
If this post encouraged you, please pass it on. You might also like When You Wish They’d Stay Little Forever, On Dreams, Contentment and Spaghetti, and I Love You Lots and Cows.
Linking up with: The Better Mom, Playdates With God, The Mom Initiative, Titus 2sdays, Grace at Home, Wedded Wednesday and Things I Can’t Say.
What a sweet and heartwarming post!! As I get ready to graduate my 5th child from high school and send my 1st off on her wedding day, it was sweet to read this today.
Coming over from Playdates at the Well.
Thank you for stopping by from Laura’s place, Kate! I love hearing from moms with your perspective. I can only imagine high school graduations and weddings and what a proud but dripping mess I’ll be. Congratulations on the upcoming milestones!
Happy Muzzah’s Day to you too, Becky! I wholeheartedly agree. Every day is Mother’s Day and I am so blessed to be called one as well. You’ve encouraged me, my friend. Always love visiting your place and seeing life through your mommy lens!
And I always love seeing your comments here, Beth! You bless me.
Oh, Happy Muzzah’s Day to you, too. And Valentine’s Day, and double-coupon day, and …. yeah, life as a mom is worth celebrating. Always. Even when it doesn’t feel like a Hallmark card.
Oh yeah, absolutely, happy double coupon day, Alicia! I am laughing so hard! I think those Hallmark card days are much fewer and far between than the days when it seems like all I’m doing is cleaning out the potty chair and telling a short person no, you cannot have another piece of gum. But somehow it’s all so beautifully worth it. I love being a mom.
So sweet! It should be every day that we take time to realize the importance of what we do!
I agree with your daughter Mother’s day should be a week long event anyway. Filled with parades, flowers, chocolates, and maid service 🙂 Glad you enjoyed your Muzzah’s Day and all the other 363 days of being a Mom!
Exactly! It’s important that we recognize our own value as moms. It’s nice when our families can too – regardless of whether or not it’s Mother’s Day 🙂
Well, if every day is Mother’s Day, then I’m not too late to wish you a happy one! 🙂 My mom used to tell me that, all the time: every day is Mother’s Day. But I kind of like having a special day to get flowers and be spoiled :). If they spoiled me every day, that might be another story! I hope you had a lovely Valentine’s Day, Becky 🙂