Happy Mother's Day

Mean Moms

Someday when my children are old enough to understand the logic that motivates a parent,

I will tell them, as my Mean Mom told me:

I loved you enough ... . to ask where you were going, with whom,

and what time you would be home.

I loved you enough to be silent and let you discover that your new best friend was a creep.

I loved you enough to stand over you for two hours while you cleaned your room,

a job that should have taken 15 minutes.

I loved you enough to let you see anger, disappointment, and tears in my eyes.

Children must learn that their parents aren't perfect.

I loved you enough to let you assume the responsibility for your actions

even when the penalties were so harsh they almost broke my heart.

But most of all, I loved you enough . . .

to say NO when I knew you would hate me for it.

Those were the most difficult battles of all.

I'm glad I won them, because in the end you won, too.

And someday when your children are old enough to understand the logic

that motivates parents, you will tell them.

For all you mom's and mom's to be out there... Happy Mother's Day!

Omair, thanks for the beautiful evening.

And thanks especially for making it special for my mom as well!