Author Jess Hong / Published: Apr-20-2021

When I told my mom I was writing about her for Mother’s Day, she specifically told me to say the word “strong”.

“‘My mother is the strongest woman I know... my mom does so much for me…’ ugh, I hate when people say that.” This is what she said- word for word.

When she told me this, it confused me (and made me hit backspace on my keyboard.) Isn’t it a compliment to be called a strong mother? Isn’t this what we’re supposed to say on Mother’s Day? When I was a kid, I truly believed that my mom had superpowers. I thought she was psychic because she always knew what I was thinking- especially when I was up to no good. I thought she had super intelligence, because she was constantly right about everything. I thought she had special healing abilities, because no matter how hurt or upset I was, she could make me feel better with one simple hug. Of course, this isn’t the case. My mom isn’t Wonder Woman, and no one in this world has superpowers.

As I get older- and as I watch my mom slowly start to get older, a simple yet powerful realization hits me. My mom isn’t just a mom- she’s a wife, a sister, a friend, a normal human being. My mom is not the strongest woman in the world, she isn’t perfect, and she doesn’t have to be. I don’t think any mother out there should hold themselves to such impossibly high standards. Motherhood doesn’t come with an instruction manual or tutorials. There’s no correct way to be a mom, that’s what makes it such a beautiful thing. So, this one goes out to all the normal, imperfectly perfect moms out there.

When I’m a mom one day, with all the lessons my mother taught me, maybe my future little ones will think I have superpowers too. If you’re reading this, mom, sorry to be cheesy but I love you. Let’s light a candle and fall asleep watching daytime television together.

Here’s to all the moms out there! Happy Mother’s Day.