Happy Mother's Day

First, a heartfelt Happy Mother's Day to all of the moms out there, especially those doubly blessed with twins. Personally, I don't really care what the motivation for the holiday is -- the greeting card industry, the flower industry -- whatever. I appreciate the recognition and gratitude and am happy to offer the same to my mom.

Now for a personal detour on the topic: last year, as in the five previous as a mom, my primary job was caring for my children at home. Last Mother's Day, like many moms, my priority for the day was to get a break from the kids. Alone time is not easy to procure with four little boys running around the house, and it's one thing both my husband and I long for from the old days. Of course, we wouldn't change a thing about our lives and our family, but it would be nice to read a book for an hour once in a while if and when we were so inclined. But this year, I am a full-fledged working mom, and my hopes for the day are quite different.

Without engaging in any commentary about working or not working, let me just say that I really love my job and chose to take it. But far and away the hardest part is being away from my kids for long hours a few days a week. All I want is more time. I miss the boring, sometimes frustrating parts of the daily grind most of all -- the fighting, whining and refusals to do what I want them to do, things that drove me to the edge when I was them the majority of every day. But it's all about perspective. When time is rationed, it takes on a whole new sheen. Now the weekends feel like time ticks away so quickly. I desperately try to spend enough quality time with each boy while still managing the home, finding time to exercise, see friends and spend time with my husband. So for Mother's Day, what I want most is a regular old day, the kind I wanted to escape from just a year ago.

Today, my goal is to have relaxed fun with my kids. I didn't like hanging out with them any less last year, it's just that there seemed to be ample time to do it all another day. As I lay in bed waiting for them all to come home from breakfast (they went out to let me sleep in!), I am looking forward to a great day even if it's marked by fighting, whining and other precious little refusals/joys that are the markers of motherhood. I just hope I can retain my outlook and muster all the patience needed to do my part toward making that happen.

So if you'll be getting up tomorrow to head to work at your office, or getting up to head to work downstairs in your home, try to enjoy today and maintain prespective tomorrow.