Happy Mother's Day!

I have a whole new respect for this holiday after seeing what mom's go through firsthand. What starts with labor (which is grueling by itself), leads to constant sacrifice to take care of the child and provide the love and support that only a mother can.

It's hard enough with both parents pitching in to raise the kids, it's even tougher when you do it by yourself. It's one of the reasons why I'm very fortunate to have such a strong and giving mother. Despite having to work to take care of her three kids, she always managed to make it to every single game and every single race. In pee-wee football, 5th and 6th grade, she made sure that the referee kept a fresh inhaler on hand in case I had an asthma attack and died in 30 seconds before she could run to the field. And since the refs had no pockets, the inhaler always ended up in their socks. The taste of smelly feet has, unfortunately, burned a permanent mark in my brain. In high school, she made our trainers lug around our 50 pound breathing machine. She pounded on my chest to help me hack up phlegm after a pneumonia. And yes, she bought a chihuahua because she thought it would cure my asthma. In high school, I ran the 400 meter race twice a week. At the 300 meter mark, as I rounded the curve and was heading to the finish, she was always there at the same spot, every race. She didn't pick that spot because it was the best vantage point to see the race. She picked the spot because it was the worst part of the race and it was when I needed support the most. Thanks Mom! I noticed.

Sharon said, "Mother's Day is now our number 1 holiday for the year:)." And she meant it! So for all you moms out there, kick back, relax, and let yourselves be pampered for a day! Enjoy.