I really like what I wrote last year for Mothers Day so I thought I would post it again this year. My feelings about it are still the same.

There are many mothers in my life and my children’s lives and I would like to take some time to thank all of them, along with all mothers.

So here goes….

To mothers

You do everything from providing the launch pad for your children to follow their dreams to providing the safety net to catch them when their dreams crash to the ground. Mom, thank you for the confidence you instilled in me, as a 17-year-old senior, by listening to me share my dreams on our front porch and for the comfort you provided to me, as a 33-year-old son with a broken heart, by listening to me share my hurts while we re-roofed “the shack”. Though there are many other wonderful moments, those are two I will remember forever.

To mothers-in-law

You welcome the additions to your family by being open to other mothers’ kids coming into your lives and taking your “babies” from you. Karen, I am thankful you accepted me into your family even though I am 12 years, 362 days older than your daughter and, on my first date with your daughter, you needed to come to my rescue when I ran out of gas. (I can explain!)

To birth mothers

You do not give up your children for adoption but rather choose to give hope to your children through adoption. Even though you do not know who I am, I am thankful for you, my son’s birth mother, for allowing me to share in the life of your child. I am under no illusion that I can love him more or better than you can, but I do love him with every ounce of my being. Someday, if he decides to meet you, I hope you will see a young man worthy of the sacrifice you made. I am eternally grateful for the gift you have given me.

To the mothers who do not yet have children to legally call their own, or may never

The time and care you put into every birthday card you send to your nieces, nephews and the other children in your life and the excitement these children show each time they are in your presence is priceless. Though you may never be listed on any official documents for these children, you are not only the favorite aunt, you are a mother to them and have been invaluable to their development as human beings.

To the mothers with whom we fathers share our parenting duties

Where do I start? If we fathers were in a Tom Cruise movie, we would say, “you complete us.” That would be cheesy, though, so I will just say we could never be the fathers we are without you. Kelly, there are times when I wonder, if something were to happen to you, could I raise our kids on my own? I could and I would. Not because I would want to – only because I would have to. There is so much you give to our children that I never could. You have a special connection with each child that nurtures something distinctive in each child. You seem to be intrinsically aware of their individual needs and able to uniquely attend to those needs. It is an honor and a pleasure to parent with you.

I know there are many more mothers I could write about but there isn’t the time or the space. This Sunday, though, as we celebrate Mother’s Day, I encourage everyone to also celebrate Mothers’ Day, honoring all the women who have been mothers to us and to our children. You are truly appreciated.