Have you seen that clip of Snoop Dogg thanking himself?
“Last but not least, I wanna thank me
I wanna thank me for believing in me
I wanna thank me for doing all this hard work
I wanna thank me for having no days off
I wanna thank me for, for never quitting”
I never thought I would feel so seen by something Snoop would say. Well, other than “drop it like it’s hot” during my high school homecoming days. Anyway, lately, I’ve been finding myself taking pride in what I’m doing as a mom and acknowledging the work I put into my family. I think it’s time you do the same if you aren’t already doing it.
I know that we all realize that motherhood is a challenge, but sometimes we need to sit down and really look at how motherhood has changed us and why we deserve every bit of credit that comes our way – even if it only comes from our reflection in the mirror.
We sacrifice our hearts and bodies. Whether we are healing from giving birth or sleeping in rocking chairs as we hold babies, our bodies go through a lot. We lift up toddlers and not so little big kids when they’ve fallen asleep in the car. We stay up late to wait for teenagers to arrive home. Our hearts are all of a sudden ripped from our chests as we see the children we love walking in a world where we can’t protect them at all times.
We are the keepers of memories and facts. I know it’s draining to be the one who has a million thoughts at any given time, but there’s a pride that comes along with knowing so much. I can rattle off the exact weight and lengths of my babies. I can also remember their first words or the first time they told me a joke (that made absolutely no sense). My mind may not be as sharp as it was when I was 18, but it’s filled with moments and milestones that I’ll be able to recount years from now.
We are selfless. It doesn’t matter if we are cold, we’ll give up our sweaters for our children. It doesn’t matter if we need to run errands, we’ll sit through sports practices and playdates for the sake of our children’s well-being. It doesn’t matter what it is because we are willing to do it without recognition or second thought as to how we’ll be affected.
These are just three reasons why we deserve to be told thank you on an everyday basis. I know we sometimes hear those words once every few weeks or less, but we deserve to be told it as often as possible. If you haven’t heard it lately, let me be the one to tell you:
Thank you for loving your children the best way you can.
Thank you for teaching your children the best way you know how.
Thank you for being a pillar for your family (and our communities).
Thank you for doing your best every single day.
I see you, moms and I thank you for being a part of this village.
