She’s your mom. (Pure and simple and probably God’s favorite reason of all.)
She’s performed her role without ever requesting an understudy (because who could ever replace her?).
She’s left the house in two-day old underwear and mascara because you left your First 100 Days of School project on the front lawn.
She’s surreptitiously replaced seven dead guppies allowing you to believe that ‘Buster’ lived 3 happy years in a bowl with murky water and two blue marbles and your brother’s Ninja Turtle at the bottom.
She’s listened to 100 off-key versions of Amazing Grace at your school concerts and given YOU one every time.
She has lovingly accepted an invitation to swing alongside you at the park despite knowing her tribe was huddled on the bench with cappuccinos and eclairs.
She willingly got her butt stuck under your toddler bed trying to retrieve your chewed up binky.
She giggled freely when you put your binky back under the bed so she (like a loyal puppy) could do it all over again.
She cajoled the Bus Driver with enough Dunkin’ Donuts and gift cards to own stock in the company because someone never made it to the stop on time.
She let you fake a cold so you could stay home and play with your newborn baby brother.
She pretended not to notice when you over hugged your Dad (including slobbering kisses) because he gave in to your will when she would not.
She bought too many to count extra ice-cream cones for all the ones that went splat on your first lick.
She sat on the frozen bleachers cheering you on when every other parent was watching from the car.
She left the frozen bleachers to braid your hair and hand you water and wipe your tears and sit right back down to watch every morsel of the game (even when you spent the majority of time on the sidelines).
She missed her high school reunion (after primping for months) because the jerk who broke your heart broke your heart on the same day.
She never said one judgmental word when you went back with the jerk for another year.
She stifled her disappointment and still made you feel like a Princess when you chose a different prom dress than the one she hand made for you.
She (like a Fairy Godmother) magically left love notes in your Miss Kitty lunch box even when she was far from home helping with Grandma.
She let you have breakfast for dinner whenever your teenage pout melted her heart.
She’s your mom (and therefore you are blessed BEYOND Reason(s).
Lisa Leshaw has worked as a mental health professional for the past 31 years. She currently conducts Parenting Skills Workshops, Group Counseling for Blended Families and Empowerment Circles for Women. As a consultant, Lisa travels throughout teaching Communication and Listening Skills, Behavioral Management Techniques and Motivational Strategies.
To de-stress she performs in children's theatre and plays piano whenever requested. She is hoping to either write the next memorable musical composition or Great American Novel!
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By Lisa Leshaw 
by Kimberly Keys 
by Bree Sprual 
by Vicki Bahr 
by Jaybie D. 
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by Charissa Bates 
