JustAMom

I’d like to introduce you to someone. Her name is “JustAMom.”

So what are you doing now? Are you “just a mom?” Actually, I’m a mom and I have a job. That aside, I can’t be the only mother out there who gets this question a few times a week. Up until recently, it didn’t bother me. It was the kind of comment you brush off and move on. Within the past month, I’ve noticed a distinct increase in using the word “just” in the same sentence as “mom.” In this phrase, as an adverb it defines as “only or merely.”

Really? Really people?

I could rant about how much work goes into being a mother at my once a month girls coffee date. That would be preaching to the choir. I could vociferate about the lack of personal time to my husband. Why? He doesn’t get to use the bathroom by himself either nor does he get to do the hobbies he did pre-children. On the other hand, I could mush through a tear-filled love story about the pain, joy and stretch marks I endure for my two blessings. I might strive to inspire others with tales of the labors of love to bear the babies and to regain my body post-birth.

I’m choosing to do none of the above. Been there, read that.

It might sound touchy, but maybe as a public, we could drop the phrase “just” from any sentences containing the word “mom.” There are many many many of us in the JUSTAMOM category. Some are stay-at-home mommies. Some are full-time working mommies who love their babies just as much as the stay-at-home mommies. Some work part-time. There are generations before us who now have grandchildren and great-grandchildren. The thing that connects us all is that we LOVE our children. We strive to provide for them the best we are able to with the various gifts and talents God gave us.

A few beautiful quotes to ponder about mothers:

“No one is ever quite ready; everyone is always caught off guard. Parenthood chooses you. And you open your eyes, look at what you’ve got, say “Oh, my gosh,” and recognize that of all the balls there ever were, this is the one you should not drop. It’s not a question of choice.” – Marisa de los Santos, Love Walked In

Finally brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of a good report — if there is any virtue and if there is any praise — think on these things. – Philippians 4:8

“But there’s a story behind everything. How a picture got on a wall. How a scar got on your face. Sometimes the stories are simple, and sometimes they are hard and heartbreaking. But behind all your stories is always your mother’s story, because hers is where yours begin.” – Mitch Albom, For One More Day