My oldest child’s birthday was this past Thursday. My Bubbies turned 17 years old! I honestly cannot believe how fast time goes. I’m always telling younger mothers how time flies and to cherish the time when their babes are little and sweet. Even when I’m saying the words, I can see the look of pure exhaustion in their faces and know they are thinking, “Please God, let time move a little, teeny bit faster!” Yes, the days may seem super duper long when you are slinging dirty diapers and baby food, but the years fly by oh so fast.  Hang in there, young mamas, freedom is coming!

I am showing my age…we’ll talk about that in a later post…anyways…

As usual during birthday “season” in our home, I posted the obligatory, gushing, sappy social media post on my son’s birthday and I suddenly had a revelation. Not only did he turn 17 years old, September 20th being the day of his birth, but it was also the anniversary of the day that I became a mother. I got to thinking…we celebrate our children’s birthday with such joy and exuberance on the day WE GAVE BIRTH TO THEM. They get a party, cake and presents. I have spent an awful lot energy, time and money on my kids’ birthdays. But really, what did they have to do to warrant such a celebration? Come down the birth canal or pop out of a c-section incision? I mean, I’m the one who decided to try and get pregnant, endured 38 weeks of pure misery, weeks of bed rest, pre-eclampisa and a horribly long induction process that ended in an emergency c-section where I almost died. Like seriously, though. I mean, I get celebrating the child born on that day, but someone should say congratulations to the mom for growing, birthing and keeping the child alive for however many years or SOMETHING! I know that there is Mothers’ Day, but that is just one day. I had THREE kids! In THREE years! Those kids should be celebrating me and thanking me for giving them life. (Settle down, I know God is the giver of all life, but He chose me as the vessel to carry and give birth to those kids.)  More like, “Happy Giving-Birth-to-Life Day, Mother!” Just sayin’.

Side note:  Motherhood is truly a thankless job, yet one in which I am happy to be a participant. Raising human beings is quite the task and not for the weak..especially during the teenage years and beyond. I thank God for my little-ish (all taller than me now) blessings and they truly make me over-the-moon proud of them every day. Sometimes, my heart feels like it will literally burst out of my chest! My kids are the best!

My friend commented on my son’s birthday post, “Happy Momiversary!’ Perfectly said. And from now on, when I see someone post a “Happy Birthday” on social media, I will wish their child a “Happy Birthday” and the mom a “Happy Momiversary” and congratulate them for being such an awesome, life-giving human being. Rock on, Moms! You’re amazing!

By the way, I have scripture to back up my point of view.  Look up Proverbs 31: 28-29.  “Her children rise up and call her blessed;  Her husband also, and he praises her. ‘Many daughters have done well, But you excel them all.'” Word, ladies. That’s the Word.