If you’re not a mom, this’ll probably be weird to read.  That said, if you have a mom or you know a mom, you should totally have them read this.

So, here’s the deal: Moms are awesome.

And let’s get this out of the way, too: My wife, mom, step-mom and mother-in-law are the best.

Ok, now let’s get to you.

You’re an awesome mom. I don’t care if you feel like you suck as a mom or not; you’re awesome. Do you yell at your kids sometimes? Do you park yourself on the couch and tell your kids it’s ok to watch Netflix for a couple hours sometimes? Do you wish your kids could spend the year at your parents’ sometimes? Do you read blogs and magazines and think to yourself, “I’M THE WORST MOTHER IN THE WORLD!” sometimes?

Sure. My understanding is that all mothers do this.

Well, except for the ones in the magazines.

I just want to tell you right now that feeling these things doesn’t make you suck as a mom. It makes you human. It makes you a woman who does more for her family than can be adequately quantified. You deal with more crap, literally and figuratively, than most men can comprehend.

Let’s be honest…you probably won’t receive as much recognition as you deserve today. In fact, you’re probably going to have to clean-up after your kids and husband who have made you breakfast. A breakfast you might enjoy half of, by the way. I actually just now asked my wife what she wants for breakfast. I figure it’s better she gets what she wants than me and the kids making a bunch of stuff she won’t like. Magical!

Anyway, that’s why I wanted to tell you you’re awesome. Hopefully your family will do something nice for you. You deserve it. I don’t even know you (probably) and I’m still confident in that fact. You’re doing your best. And even when you feel like you’re not doing your best, you want to be.

And here’s the truth:

You are enough. Will you keep growing and learning and gaining wisdom through experience? Of course. But right now, today, the woman you are is enough. Please take time to appreciate yourself. Take time today to remember what you love about your kids. Be proud of all you’ve accomplished so far and look forward to all that lies ahead. Treat yourself to something that will make you smile.

In the last year and a half I have come into contact with so many amazing mothers because of Living One-Handed. Mothers who share their struggles and successes in regards to raising kids who are different. I see mothers helping each other on a daily basis. It’s incredible. And you know what? None of them think they’re amazing. They’re just moms doing what moms do. Well, I have news for you…

You are amazing.

All of you.

Happy Mother’s day!

My mom on her birthday, 2013

Heaven is a much funnier place today.

My grandpa, Edwin Haack, age 93, passed away this morning surrounded by his loving family; one that knows how to love because he showed them how to do it well.

I’m using this space to share three things today: A little bit about who my grandpa was, a couple of my favorite memories and the experience of having him pass through hospice.  It might be a little raw, so thank you for your understanding.

Grandpa was born in November of 1919, one five children; three boys and two girls.  He grew-up in the Madison area and even attended Madison East High School.  On New Year’s Day in 1942 he married my grandma, June, and they’d go on to have ten children.  TEN.  My daughter Anna’s middle name is June, after my grandmother, actually.  Shortly after they were married, grandpa was drafted by the United States Army and ended-up serving nearly for four years with extensive time spent in New Guinea and the Philippines during WWII.  He was promoted to Staff Sargent status within the 32nd Infantry Division, 127th Regiment.  The 32nd Infantry Division, the Red Arrow Division, was credited with many “firsts” and logged a total of 654 days of combat during World War II, more than any other United States Army division.  While in Leyte (Philippines), grandpa suffered a serious wound to his right leg and was awarded the Purple Heart (more on this later).  When he got back home, he finally met his first child, Bonnie.  She was nearly three when he met her for the first time.

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The Man, The Myth, The Legend

Mister Rogers is my hero.

Not was, but is.

And I wish you could get inside my brain to understand how serious I am.  Every time I immerse myself in Mister Rogers related material – books, quotes, videos, documentaries – I cry.  I cry when I listen to him talk slowly and carefully, telling me that he likes me.  I cry when he accepts awards by asking everyone to take time and think of those they’re thankful for.  I cry when I watch him speak to the US Senate on behalf of millions of children and, in the process, change the mind of a gruff senator through kindness and humility.  I cry when I read about the countless lives he touched while here on Earth.

Fred McFeely Rogers would have been 85 years old today.

In honor of his birth and life, I’d like to share a few things I love about Mister Rogers, the man.

First of all, and this isn’t one of the three things, but…Fred Rogers represents the term “hero” well.  Heroes scare me, actually.  In this day and age, it seems we just wait for them to fall and, more often than we’d like, they do.  The more we find out about Fred Rogers, though, the more his legacy seems to be strengthened.  In fact, I’m convinced that instead of saying, “See, told ya!” when an icon fell, Fred would be consumed with telling them he cares about them and he’d try to help them.  He’d want to know what led them here.  He’d want to know their story.  Which is the first thing I love about him…

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