Be the one that goes under because she knows wet hair is a small price to pay for rapturous giggles.

Be the one that looks for snakes under rocks and flings her bathing suit clad self on the slip and slide as she hopes for survival because she is making memories.

Be the one that knows the most precious gifts are made from scraps of paper, dabs of glue, sprinkled glitter and a kind heart because those are the ones you will tuck away so as to remember.

Be the one that eats fried chicken splayed in the sand because there is time enough for proper manners and sitting in chairs.

Be the one that jumps on the trampoline until you pee in your pants because you remember that those you jump with are the whole reason you sacrificed your bladder.

Be the one that signs up for field trips and Valentine’s parties because someday you’ll go to the zoo and remember small hands clutching lettuce encountering a giraffe’s long tongue.

Be the one that ignores the laundry on a Sunday afternoon, closes the blinds, and helps build a pallet for movie watching because the feeling of those feet and hands encountering your person will be a weight you never regret.

Be the one that goes on the boat even though you long for a pedicure and a cozy nap because the sun on your face, the wind past your ears and the squeals of little people will remind you what it feels like to be alive.

Be the one that wishes all women a happy Mother’s Day because you value those that influence your children because we all have gifts to share.

Be the one that remembers the folks who miss their mamas and give yours extra love because today is the best stuff.

Happy Mother’s Day. Xo