Not all of our mothers were wonderful.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

4. Thank you.

"Mystical Motherhood" is a good way to express it.

I like to think I was a good mom. You'd have to talk to my sons (well away from me, I'm sure) to get the truth about me as a mother.

I don't want to be disrespecting my own mom, but I want to be honest. I knew from an early age that I was by far her least favorite, and of course that was somewhat painful. Mom died in 1999, so I have enough distance and perspective to make jokes, to understand.

I think the problem with Mother's Day, at least as promulgated in this country, is that it assumes all mothers are wonderful and deserving of honor. There's also an unexpressed sentiment that women who are not mothers are some how inferior. That's bullshit. Not to mention, not all mothers are wonderful. Okay, so I can tell my sons they absolutely must call me this day, and that's a transaction between us. And yes, I wish they'd think to send me flowers, but I could also let the know that I'd like said flowers. They should not be expected to read my mind.

And for all of you women out there who are not mothers, please do not let this day make you sad or angry or anything else. Just ignore it. Yes, ignore it. There's a Grandparent's Day out there. I'm not a grandparent, probably will never be, and even thought I'm slightly sad at that, it's only slightly. So what if I never have grandchildren? Big deal. I have a lot of friends who never married or married and never had kids. There is NOTHING inherently superior about having kids. It's just one way or living your life. But I hope you already get that, and are good at ignoring commercialized expectations such as Mother's Day.

So, on that note, Happy Mothers Day to all. Because every one of you had a mother, and I sincerely hope you can wish her well on this day. And if not, that's okay. Just move on and make your own life. Really.