Mother's Day Tribute: "A Mom, the Ultimate Tough Mudder"

[In honor of Mother's Day, and my wonderful husband who supports me in all my "second chance endeavors", I'm posting his tribute rather than a project.  My husband, Kyle, who is a fan and participant in mud races (and now my kids too!) composed this wonderful essay on motherhood.  So to thank him, and to thank all the Moms out there for all you do, enjoy reading!]

A Mom: The Ultimate Tough Mudder

Mother’s Day 2013

1^st Stage of Obstacles

Obstacle # 1 – Pregnancy
The first obstacle a Mom encounters is 9-months of pregnancy. During this period she has to deal with her body changing in so many different ways. From weight gain, general pains, feet hurting, back aching and the list goes on and on. This obstacle can even cause permanent changes. You often hear Moms say “My body will never be the same.”  

Obstacle #2 – The Unknown Race…….

When a Mom enters labor, she doesn’t know whether she just entered a 5K or a Marathon. The delivery of this precious gift of life can either be quick like a 5K, or drawn out like a Marathon.

Obstacle #3 – The Short Rest Period

After the anticipated little one has entered the world, a Mom is given only two maybe three days if she is lucky to rest at the hospital and recover. The delivery of this little one might have been dramatic, exhausting, and sometimes an overwhelming emotional experience. However after this short rest, she is on her way to the next obstacle.

Obstacle #4 – Learning by Trial and Error

There is not a detailed ”instruction booklet” for a Mom. Therefore a Mom is forced to learn on- the-go.  So from their experiences, they learn the best way for doing things, and the best way not to do things. This is a never ending obstacle things are always changing as kids grow and Moms are presented with new challenges.

Obstacle #5 – Dealing with the Dirty

All the changing of diapers and dealing especially with “messy one.” 

Obstacle #6 Sick, But Still Going

Moms may feel horrible and sick, but they continue on and do what needs to be done. “Moms never get sick days.” This applies to all stages of being a Mom.

2^nd Stage of Obstacles

Obstacle #7 Play-Date Anxiety

Who ever knew the complexity of arranging a play date for your kids and all the unknowns? Will the kids play well together? Do the Moms have things in common to talk about? What if you or the other Mom decides they are not interested in getting together for another play date? This is similar to not getting a “call back” after a first date. There seems to be so much pressure for things to go right on the first play date or there might not be a second.

Obstacle #8 Stuck on Default

Kids always seem to call for “Mom”, whether it’s regarding a question they have or calling for help. They will even call for Mom when Dad is in the exact same room they are calling from.  For kids the “default setting” is calling for Mom!

Obstacle # 9 – Around the Learning Curve

Moms seem to be the go-to person when it comes to helping with homework. Moms for the most part seem to be the ones to check-over homework or the tutor when the kids don’t understand something. Again Dad may be capable in helping but the default seems to be Mom.

Obstacle # 10 Neighborhood Politics

If your kids have friends in the neighborhood, a Mom must skillfully master the underlying politics of the neighborhood. The good ole days of kids working out their own issues between each other seem to be gone.  It now takes a “council of Moms” to first decide what happened, then which kid is to blame, and finally which kid is to apologize for what they may or may not have done.  Just like in politics, a Mom has to decipher which Moms you can work with and think on the same page. Which Moms you might not always agree with, but you can “reach across the aisle.”

3^rd Stage of Obstacles

Obstacle # 11 Never Ending Adventure

Obstacle # 11 is for all the obstacles a Mom encounters which are not mentioned above, and for all the unknown obstacles which still lie ahead.

There is never a Finish Line when you are running the race of being a Mom.  This is a race like no other and the energy is derived from unconditional love which is an everlasting energy source.  This energy is specially given to Moms and it cannot be packaged in an energy drink.  Moms are built in a special way and are able to endure for however long it takes. That’s why a Mom is “The Ultimate Tough Mudder!”

So on this Mother’s Day, I want to thank you for all you have done and do on a daily basis. I appreciate everything you do as a Mom and a Wife!! You are loved very much by me and our two boys!!

Happy Mother’s Day!

Love,

Kyle