On Mother's Day

If you're like me, you've probably, on more than a few occasions, given your mother a hard time--not because of any deep-seeded malice or resentment, but simply because that is the nature of relationships between mothers and their offspring. She'll call at the most inopportune times, ask seemingly inane questions about your daily routine and insist on babying you even if you've been legally eligible to live on your own for five-plus years. And still, you know that underneath it all, this is precisely why you love her.

My mom has been there literally since before day one, and has worked so hard every day thereafter, often sacrificing luxuries for herself, to provide for her family and thereby set a path for mine and my brother's success. For that, I am eternally grateful.

For all the complaining I do about having not yet landed that dream job out on the east coast, I can say with total sincerity that it is a joy to be home with Mom on Mother's Day for the first time since my senior year of high school. Here's hoping it's the first of another long string of such holidays together.

A very happy Mother's Day to all the mothers out there.