Do I just write about Mother’s Day or do I write about my day.

How about both? Today I tell you about Mother’s Day and tomorrow I’ll tell you what I did today. Sounds like a plan.

Mother’s Day happens every year, as it happens, imagine that. A day dedicated to mothers, moms, mums, mummies, mommas, mamas, ma. And that’s just in English! Mothers are an amazing lot, there is so much that encompasses being a mother. We are not just the person who gave birth to you, we are the bonus mom, or step mom, who married your dad, your mom, we adopted you, you adopted us, we are also aunts, and I have to tell you, aunts do not get enough credit.

There are some aunts who help raise a child, who might take over raising a child, adopt, you name it, or we just step in when mom and dad aren’t around, either at the moment, for a bit, or however long. I appreciate it when someone acknowledges us.

I love the expression, The best moms get promoted to grandma, or grandmothers, or mimi, or mawmaw, mimaw, granny, glamaw, you name it, there’s a title, even like, say… JJ. Grandmothers are in a class all their own, they have lived a life, have experiences, raised their kids and now it’s time to have some fun with the next generation. They can be tough, kind, silly, happy, loving, strict, impetuous, frustrating, helpful, but no matter what, they love their babies, the ones that call them mom and the ones that call them grandmom.

I have to tell you, I am all of those things rolled into one. In 1996, oh brother, I met TYL and her brother, WCH, and the day I met them, I became a mom. I know my title eventually and officially, would be step-mom, or bonus mom, but in my heart, I became a mom. I called it new mom syndrome…I think I told you, the second they started staying over, I didn’t sleep like the dead anymore! I would hear them roll over in their sleep, I would listen for the sounds of breathing. The weirdest one…my feet grew half a size! I had been a 7/7.5 since I was about 11, I am now 25 and my feet are a size 8! What?!

And my heart expanded, I could only love them more if I had given birth, I love saying I have all the joys and none of the stretch marks! They gave me joy, they gave me headaches, grey hair, laughter, tolerance, tested my patience, came to me when they didn’t feel well, asked me to read to them, craft with them, they taught me a different kind of love.

Then, I became an aunt. Lots of kids call me aunt/auntie, which I am honored by the title, you’ve heard me talk about some of them, especially SDL and Miss A, oh boy do I love that kid! and I love hearing to this day. My sister had a baby and I didn’t know that kind of love, it was different, in a wonderful way. I had a lot to teach her, and then her sister, most good, some bad, hey, that’s my job, but all of it special. I got a mother’s day card from my sister’s family this year and it had wonderful messages from my nieces. I have stories and photos that I love to share with anyone who will listen! Watching them grow up, even living with them for a while, I wouldn’t change that experience for the world!

Then…I’m still a mom, still an auntie, and now…I’m a JJ! I was about 42 years old and I became a grandmother, huh? Yeah. Not once, not twice, but I am the very lucky JJ to 7 amazing kids who I love dearly. I get videos and messages, and sometimes I even still get pictures that they drew, you know those are framed and on my walls! I love telling stories about them, you’ve heard some of my stories, it’s hard not to, I’m a typical JJ, so proud of all my loves!

I couldn’t end this post without a nod to the fur-baby moms, seriously! We are mighty and proud! Some folks think of their pets as family, as their children, and that’s just fine, hey, I’m a dog mom to two very goofy dogs, Ruby & Bee, maybe you’ve heard me talk about them once or twice. I was a cat mom and I’m a cat auntie, yup, people call me auntie to their pets, who am I to object!

I was going to just talk about Mother’s Day, but then I started talking about my favorite subject, my loved ones, and here we are! Sorry, not sorry! No matter who you are, how you identify, what your role is, embrace it, love it, revel in it. Whatever type of mother you are, I say to you Happy Mother’s Day.