As a mother in veterinary medicine, I can tell you one thing, it hasn’t been easy. I am a divorced mother who has been co-parenting with my ex since my son was three years old. I have busted my butt as a technician to be able to provide us a place to live, rent and the necessities. There have been times when I had to do CPR on a patient and then rush off to a school assembly. Switching gears from a tech to a mom is tough. I’ve also missed several plays, awards ceremonies and sports events due to my work schedule. The guilt that comes with wondering if I am doing enough is insurmountable. But I want all mothers to know that they are not alone. We are all doing the best we can. Our children see this.
Mother’s Day is a day to realize that we are pretty fierce mothers. We spend our time nurturing caring and pouring ourselves into our children. Even if you don’t have children, having the heart of a nurturer is a beautiful thing. Whether your kids have two legs or four legs and fur, the love you put into taking care of something is motherly. All of us in this profession pour our hearts and souls into our line of work. Not only do we pour our hearts into our patients and clients, but we also go home and give our all to our children, pets and families. Sometimes it can feel like everything we are giving isn’t enough. I promise you it is.
There were days I came home hours late from my shift with just enough time to make my kid dinner, bathe him and get him ready for bed and feed the animals. It was difficult feeling I may have missed out on moments that I wouldn’t be able to recapture. But when I would come home, I would be greeted by wagging tails from my pets and a child who was just as excited to see me. My son would ask if the pet I was taking care of was ok. Sometimes they were, sometimes they weren’t. But it opened conversations about life, death and all the things in between. He would attentively listen as we would snuggle on the couch with our dogs.
I write this to remind you all of what amazingly resilient and tough momma’s we are. I want you to know that your children and your families remember the time you spend with them. They remember the love and care you give them. Your pets are always forgiving and ready to meet you with a purr or a tail wag. This is unconditional love – when no matter the circumstances love prevails over everything. No matter what games you missed or how long your pets were waiting for dinner, they are just happy to see you. A mother’s love is always unconditional. We have the gift of passing this on to our children, families, pets and even our patients.
Do not fear you aren’t ever doing enough. Know you are doing the best you can and that is enough. Don’t focus on your mistakes or times missed but be present for the time you are there. Never forget being a mother isn’t an easy task, but you give it your all every day. Today we celebrate a mother’s heart, whether it be for her children or her pets. Thank you for everything you do. I see you. You’ve got this.
Happy Mother’s Day!
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the position of the DrAndyRoark.com editorial team.
