I love this photo. It was taken at Agribition in the 80s and something freaked me out (probably a rabid goat or something) and I jumped into my momma’s arms. I just couldn’t deal, so she scooped me up, comforted me and kept me safe. She’s still doing this for me. Hopping on a plane when I need help picking up the pieces of life, telling me it’s OK and that I’m doing a good job.

Happy Mother’s Day to you, Momma. For giving your all and more. I am so thankful for you.

And then there are the girls who made me a momma, all three of them. So little of motherhood is easy, but it is still so very good.

And to the Mother-in-Law who was loved me as her own, and poured her everything into raising a darn good man who also played a pretty integral role in my becoming a mother (ahem), I thank you. For opening your heart and home to me and the girls and shining such light into us all.

And for my fellow momma friends, as we all fumble towards the same goal of raising decent little humans, in all the beautifully different ways we walk towards that end, cheers to you! We are all in this together. And to the women out there whose hearts ache on Mother’s Day…for those who have lost, or never had, or almost had…you are so loved and not forgotten.