Moms deserve more than just one day

May 8, 2005

Resslin' around/Cassey Ressler

When it comes to mothers, every day should be their own.

Mothers are the backbone of every successful family. They are the comforters when there are tears, they are the strict captains of the ship when the crew gets out of line, and they are the cheerleaders no matter the event.

Often, they get lost in the shadows, which is fine by them. They prefer to stay quietly behind the scenes, stepping into the limelight only when needed. While Dad picks up the Little League gear, it's Mom who comforts the son after a hard loss. While Dad scrambles for a Band-Aid, it's Mom's arm around a daughter's shoulder that makes the hurt of the scrape go away faster.

Moms are strong people - just think of Kara MacIver, a 19-year-old Wasilla mother who is raising her son, Aaron, while she awaits a bone marrow transplant. Think she deserves more than just the second Sunday in May? Probably.

Moms are incredibly devoted - Dawn Alger has two sons at Palmer High School, yet she took a week and painted the set for Wasilla's play. Still, there were kids who needed the help, and she jumped right in to "make things right."

My mom is the same way - if something needs to be done, she does it. She's the strongest woman I know. I lean on my mom now more than I ever have.

She is not only my mother, she is one of my best friends, and that is a great feeling.

As I have gotten older, I've realized that maybe, just maybe, my mom knew what she was talking about when I was a teenager. I never would have admitted that back then, but now, as a parent myself, it is all starting to make much more sense.

That's the nature of growing up, I guess. Part of being a mom is passing down that wisdom, even though it may take a few years for it to become clear.

Happy Mother's Day to every mom out there.

And here's to every day being special for them, because they truly deserve it.

Casey Ressler (valleylife@frontiersman.com) is the Valley Life editor.