Tim

It's an honor to have been asked to write the Mother's Day post in the Month of Moms here on HaveStrollerWillTravel. I thought for a long time about what I was going to write - would it be serious? Funny? A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius?* After several false starts and efforts that just didn't turn out how I wanted them to, I decided that I'd make a list - a list a few of the many things that I've learned from the various Moms in my life. I could work from that to flesh out what I was going to write. The group of moms who taught me the things on this list includes, obviously, my own mother. When I got married, it grew to include my wife's mother. Two years ago, it grew to include my wife, and there are many other wonderful women who are also moms that I've had the chance to learn from over the years. The list was originally intended to be a guide to myself on the awesome piece of literature I was going to throw together (at the last minute - sorry Sweetheart!), but as I looked at it, I decided that the list was the piece. After all, what better paean to mothers than mentioning the many and important things that I've learned from them?

Without further ado, I present The List of (a very few of the) Things That Moms Have Taught Me:

Bubbles are fun!
Dancing in the rain is magic.
Don't touch hot things.
How to treat a burn.
It's ok to get dirty sometimes.
How to frame a picture.
Rules are important.
Sometimes you need to break the rules.
You shouldn't procrastinate.
How to tie a shoe.
How to do your laundry.
How to make French Toast.
How to fingerspell the alphabet. Like a two year old.
It's ok to cry when things hurt.
Even though medicine might not taste good, it's good for you.
Even though vegetables might not taste good, they're good for you too.
Even broccoli. Really.
Orange juice and salted popcorn go great together with a movie.
Zoos are fantastic places.
Watching airplanes is fun!
There are SO many opportunities to try new things in life, if you just look for them.
Don't be scared to try new things - it's good for you!
It's fun to play outside.
Please play outside. Right now.
You can't play outside all day when it's -10F outside.
How to warm up with a yummy cup of hot cocoa after you play outside when it's -10F out.
How to deal with painful losses.
How to persevere when life is tougher than you thought it would ever be.
How to set goals in life and achieve them.
How to laugh.

How to Love. Unconditionally, unendingly.

Happy Mother's Day, Moms. I love all of you. I stand in awe of all of you and what you give to the world through your children and your love for them.


* My apologies to Dave Eggers.