I just got back from picking up my youngest at his soccer practice. Our town has a very nice set of fields (the complex actually services 3 towns), with a good-sized parking lot, a playground, and (as autumn progresses) an evening nip in the air.

But tonight was warm, and not that many fields were occupied. Heading back to the car, however, I saw one person quite occupied - a woman juggling three little ones, all under the age of six.

I asked if she needed any help as she corralled her brood and their stuff into the family-mobile. Of course she didn’t - she’s a Mom. But what I really wanted to do was tell her how much I appreciate what she’s doing. Because it thoroughly warmed my heart to see her doing what countless mothers simply do - shepherd their little ones into adulthood.

When I look back at our family pictures, I still marvel that we (and by that I especially mean, my wife) managed to survive those years of the endless demands of little ones. It’s an awesome, wearying, and unending responsibility. Successful entrepreneurs, great athletes, talented artists - all have my respect, to a degree. But devoted mothers draw out my unbounded admiration.

For every awkward-feeling person that comes up to you and tries to tell you “thanks” for being a Mom, there are probably 100 of us who think and feel it but maybe don’t quite know how to express that appreciation without seeming…well, forward. Maybe it’s a little safer here on this blog.

So, if Mom-ing has been a bit tiring and unfulfilling as you juggled through today, I have one word for you. Thanks. Oh, and here’s two more: You’re awesome!