To the single moms, who do the work of two parents and often go without so their children can thrive, who sometimes feel alone and forgotten, we say: You are remembered and we THANK YOU.

To the adoptive moms, whether through step children, foster children, or children left to you in a will, for your decision to love and your strength to sacrifice, we THANK YOU.

To the foster moms, who apply for the honor to raise children for both the short-term and long-term, who give time, resources, and fight for those who have sometimes been abandoned, abused, neglected, or deemed unlovable by another, we say, “THANK YOU.”

To those that did not give birth but you constantly give the type of hugs, love, and nurturing that only a mom can give, we say, “THANK YOU.”

To all “moms” everywhere, for all that you are and all that you do, we simply would like to say, “THANK YOU.”

Written for Mother’s Day 2016

©2016 by Dr. Connie R. Shipman