It’s true.I know – your first reaction to that will be to immediately go in your mind to areas in your life where you feel inadequate or unworthy of such praise.But tonight, I’m going to do my best to get you to think about some other things you should consider.

In a world filled with people who are selfish, and even mean, there you are doing your best to keep a smile on your face, even when things aren’t going your way.

While most mothers would rather get rid of their kids for the day, there you are, going the extra mile to be there for them, being the best mom you can be.

While other kids moms bring in cookies they bought at the store, there you are making incredible little burger cookies for the second time because your dog loves them too.I guarantee you that maybe one mom in a million would have done that and not just given up and purchased some Archways. What you did is not something an unmotivated, undedicated mom would do, it just isn’t.And I promise you, your girls are proud to have you as their mom.

While the school is filled with parents who would rather not get involved, there you are, not only serving and coaching for the good of others, but actually enjoying every minute of it.

You are special. Your girls know it.They feel it and experience it.Your spouse does as well, even if they don’t know how to express it in a way or often enough to convince you it’s true.I think the hardest one to convince is probably you.

Among the masses of people around us who think only of how they can get ahead, there you are, sticking out like a flower among the weeds.The world sees your heart and it is good.No matter how much you tend to fret over your shortcomings.

I don’t think I could ever convince you – but just to help you get a glimpse of it yourself, I want you to muse on this:When it comes to your girls – all of them -on a scale of 1 to 10, how much would you say that you care about how they feel?What about how they are getting along with their friends and with each other?How about how they are doing in school and relating to life? How much do you care about what kind of women they are going to grow up to be? You know the answers to each of those questions, and more, are closer to 10 then they are to even 9. That’s not typical.It just isn’t.It’s flat out rare and I am going to tell you, don’t ever doubt for a minute that there could have been a better mom for them than you.Nobody is perfect – in fact, most are far from it.You, my friend, are special.And someday, you’ll believe that because all three of them will tell you for themselves, in their own ways, and you will finally, even if for a brief moment, allow yourself the satisfaction of knowing you did, and are doing a good job.

I’ve only known you for six months, but I see you and I know you.

Do me a favor..take a deep breath, smile, and give yourself some credit for doing a good job.You deserve it.

Yeah, you’re pretty neat babe – and I’m glad to be part of your life and call you friend.