Consider this job posting:

“No degree or prior experience required; salary and hours non-negotiable; no paid benefits; lifelong tenure.”

Job Title: Mom

Becoming a mother can happen in many ways. Birth, adoption, marriage and so on. Whichever way it happens, it provides feelings of love, joy, responsibility, and selflessness. Motherhood changes a person. It makes you stronger, it gives you a true sense of worth and purpose and shifts your priorities. The child becomes the main focus for a mother. Caring for the child, making sure all their needs are met, loving and guiding are all areas of focus.

Being a mother is probably one of the toughest jobs in the world. Moms are the the ones who raise us, teach us right from wrong and provide support every step of the way. Now add a special needs child to the mix. This adds a whole new level to what it means to be a mom. Strong and resilient still holds true, but a few other words could be used to describe a special needs mom. Such words are: exhausted, thankless, selfless, scared, brave and awesome! These moms are true superheroes. We know that raising a special needs child looks different each day. There are struggles, challenges to overcome and countless hours of therapy. If the child is medically fragile, the work to care for the child is never done. It sometimes stacks up which is where the exhaustion comes into play. But you can do it! Hearing these words helps keep a mom going. Showing appreciation and love are also very important. Some days are good, some days bad, but no matter what each day brings, these special needs children appreciate their moms, they love them and they need them.

So this Sunday, let’s make it all about the moms out there.

Whether it’s the mom or stepmom who raised you, the mother figure who made a meaningful impact on your life or even a close friend who is a first-time mama, it’s time to stop and say “thank you” to the wonder women in your life!    – Stacey Gallardo