Happy Mother's Day to Single Parents

Happy Mother's Day to all, and a special shout-out to single parents, both moms and dads, whom I have a special heart for. I know today for you may not be ripe with the traditional Mother's Day rituals you are seeing on social media. I doubt that you got to sleep in or that anyone made you breakfast in bed (or if you did, you had to help them make it!). You probably didn't receive a bouquet of flowers, get a massage certificate or get treated to a day alone at your favorite spa. Most likely you don't have enough money to eat out for dinner, or if you did splurge you feel guilty because you have bills to pay. No one wrote a paragraph about you on Facebook shouting your praises on what an amazing wife or husband you are. You may even have to share the children you gave birth to with a step dad or step mom today and are sitting alone right now.

I know at times the road has been rocky. There have been days when your kids didn't understand why you did what you did, gave you the silent treatment, or threw a temper tantrum, and you didn't have any emotional support to lean into during those times. I know you have worked extra jobs, worried about making ends meet, and have layed in bed alone at night wondering if you will be on your own the rest of your life? I know at times it has been excruciatingly lonely.

But I hope you can still celebrate today, no matter your circumstances, because single-handedly you have most likely raised children who are appreciative of littlest of things, who have learned to live without, and been taught to give thanks for what they do have. They are resourceful, and not spoiled, and don't expect things to just come their way. They are resilient and well-equipped to handle the challenges of real life.

Maybe today you can sit down and enjoy a hot cup of coffee. Or take a little nap. Or buy yourself a flower, find a Groupon for a dinner out, or start saving for that massage. Though you may not feel appreciated at times, and are weary, and lonely, please know you are loved and respected and valued! Take delight that you have successfully navigated yet another year of single parenting, and that you are blessed beyond measure just getting to raise children who are good human beings--a gift to this world.  I don't think there is any greater joy.