What does it mean to be a Mom?

What does it mean to be a Mom? Sure, we cook, we clean, we work, we are our kids chauffeurs, their teachers, their friend. We teach them how to speak, how to walk, feed themselves, dress themselves, tie their shoes, brush their teeth. We teach them the alphabet, how to count, how to spell their name, how to write, and how to read. We teach them that if they have one apple and we give them another apple....they now have two apples. We teach them to share, to be kind to others, to have respect, and to believe in themselves. We teach them how to ride their bike, how to swing at the park on their own, and that it's not very safe to climb up the slide...slides are meant for sitting on your bum and sliding down....that one never seems to sink in with them though, right? We teach them not to talk to strangers, to look both ways before crossing the street, and to call 911 in an emergency...and no...Mommy telling you that it's not ok to swing from the ceiling fan even though you really want to is not a type of emergency that 911 is used for. We teach them to tell the truth...even when the truth means they might get in trouble...it's still always better to tell the truth. We teach them to be kind to animals...love them...be gentle with them...feed them, walk them, and clean up after them. We teach our children to dream big...no matter how young they are. We teach them to stand up for themselves and for others. We teach them that it is better to give than to receive. We teach them to be polite...say please and thank you...you're welcome and that was thoughtful of you. We teach them to work hard...that nothing worth getting in life will come easy. We teach them to be greatful for what they are blessed with....a home...a family that loves them...food in their bellies...and clothing on their backs. We teach them that the world is a tremendously big place...but that doesn't mean that our one voice can't be heard. We teach them that it's important to never stop learning...ever...throughout our entire lives we learn. We teach them that even we make mistakes...we're not perfect...there's no such thing as perfection. We teach them that making mistakes is a good thing...it's how we learn. We teach them to pursue things that make them happy...discover their talents...seek out ways that they can bring joy to the world around them.

We teach them all of these things and more. We are magical creatures truthfully. We can make the tears stop and the pain go away with a kiss and a cuddle. We can bring a smile to their faces in the midst of a bad day. We can fill the room with their giggles when giggles really are the last thing they wanted to do. We are their heart...their home....their light and their love. We are Mom...Ma...Mommy...Mama...and for a brief period of time during the teenage years...Mother.

No one can love as strongly as we do. No one can love as deeply as we do. We are their biggest cheerleaders and their most dedicated fan. No matter how far away from us they may be....they are always in our minds and our hearts. They are the reason for everything that we do.

What does it mean to be a D-Mom? All of the above and then some. We cause our type 1 kids pain on a daily basis because we love Them. We never sleep because we love Them. We worry about what is going on inside their body every single day because we love them.  We have taken on the role of their pancreas even though we have no experience...no idea what we are in store for...sometimes no idea what we are doing....all because we love them. We work with them, their pump, their pen needles, syringes, blood sugar meter....to keep them alive every single day. They are the first thing on our minds in the morning...as soon as we open our eyes...before we even step foot out of bed........and they are the last thought that sweeps through our exhausted minds at the end of the day.

There is not a word that has been invented yet that can describe our love for them.

Being a Mom is the most incredible feeling on the planet.

Happy Mothers Day to my own Mom, all of the other Moms in my family, my friends that are Moms, and my D-Moms. You inspire me and I am greatful to be a part of your lives.