Moms Deserve the Best

This is my first time writing in months since Viv passed away. I’ve been avoiding it because I knew it would bring waterworks - and it did. Scrolling through the pictures trying to find the best ones brings up so many memories. Good times. Bad times. And everything in between. But as I was searching for pictures that highlight the “moms” in my life, I couldn’t help but notice how much collective love my children have received from three amazing women: Annie (wife), Joanne (my mom) and Mary Kay (Annie’s mom). We’re all lucky to have you.

Annie reminded me the other day how much better Father’s Day is for the guys. We get to enjoy nicer weather in June (compared to the snowfall we’re experiencing here in Cleveland in May). The guys get to go golfing for the day - and when we come back slightly intoxicated, hungry and tired - our wives don’t complain. The food is already prepared and the tv is tuned into sports (Sports! What’s that?).

Mother’s Day, on the other hand, kind of sucks if we’re being honest. Mom’s work harder than most dad’s when it comes to pretty much everything relating to kids. I’m not trying to gain brownie points here - this is the reality. Find me a dad that outworks my wife. Good luck! But this year we’re in quarantine. There’s no fancy restaurant to take our moms out for brunch. Instead, we have to attempt to make (or order) food and stick around in our houses. Houses that apparently don’t clean themselves. If you’re living in the midwest - the weather really sucks this weekend. So I don’t anticipate we’ll have a chance to enjoy anything outside. I’ll get to my proposal in a minute. You’ll start to see where I am going with this.

Mom’s deserve the best. Mom’s deserve a day (maybe two, maybe more) where they don’t have to change any diapers. They deserve a day that someone else does the cooking and the cleaning. They deserve to skip a day of responsibilities. Mom’s deserve so much more than dads and kids can deliver. But let’s try to deliver and let’s try to give them what they truly deserve.

Here’s my proposal to the guys and gals in my shoes searching for things to do for the moms in their lives: pick one day each month and make the moms know how much they mean to you. And remember: talk is cheap. Don’t just tell them - but show them. Give them the day off. Send them flowers. Buy them a cake. Do whatever you think they’ll enjoy and feel valued. It’s not that much to ask. There’s only like 7 months left this year. Do whatever it takes. Because they do whatever it takes for you.

To my wife and mother of our daughters: I love you. Thank you for being the glue that continues to keep us all together. We have not had a normal life, but you do so much each and every day to repair it and improve it. Our children love you unconditionally and I’m jealous sometimes to see the look on their eyes when they see you. You’re clearly their favorite parent.

To my mom: I love you, too. I was your only child for 7 years and I am confident I bring you more joy than the “others”. Haha. Thank you for always believing in me and pushing me to become the man that I am. If it wasn’t for you I would never have been prepared to love and care for my wife and daughters.

To my mother-in-law: Yes - I do love you! Haha. You raised an amazing group of children who clearly take after you when it comes to their love and passion (make sure Pete doesn’t read that part). Thank you for all you do to help take care of us.

To my grandmas: I love you Grandma J and Grandma Rosie. Thanks for being the true matriarchs of the family and giving all the women in my life a visual guide for how to truly be happy and loved.

Happy Mother’s Day!