Mother's Day, Part 4 Of 4

And now, the finale:

We talk about Mother's Day.

For some reason, we didn't put the two holidays together - you know, Mother's Day today, and Father's Day next Sunday. But that notwithstanding, today is Mother's Day.

Mothers serve a role in our society, and in human development, that is different from the role of a father. Both are equally valuable, but both are equally necessary.

Mothers provide nurture, and support; they often are a baby's first, and for a time sole, source of food; they often care for the baby exclusively, in households where the father is the sole income provider; and they guide the development of children in knowledge of all things female.

Parenthood - of either stripe - is a nearly universally thankless job. All too often, by the time a child is grown enough to recognize the work their folks put into them, and appreciate it, the folks who did the work are long gone.

I know. I almost reached the same point; I only grew up enough to really understand, and in a sense take ownership of, what my parents had done for me, in time to spend the last 7 years of his life with my father. Some are not that fortunate; they only reach maturity great enough to recognize the debt after their parents are gone, and some never reach it at all.

So, on behalf of those not yet there, and those who will never get there, thanks, moms.

Some of us know what you've done, and continue to do, for us.

Thank you.