I’m not sure if it’s the fact that as I write this, my better half is taking care of our son; or that, after witnessing what she went through March 23 and 24 to bring him into the world, my appreciation and love of her has grown by leaps and bounds; but I don’t think any of us really understand Mother’s Day until we’re raising kids of our own.

It’s a bold statement, I know.

Coming from a family of six kids — all of us about two years apart — I often marveled at how my own mom got it all done: three square meals a day, taking care of us all, countless rides to school events, friends’ houses and all points in between. Caroline’s mom raised four kids on her own, a feat that is staggering to me as I lamely try to lend a hand raising one.

Super Dad, I am not. (Although the cape’s on layaway and the tights fit. For now.) Caroline, on the other hand, is taking care of business and has definitely earned a big emblazoned S.

I think most mothers have as well.

They continue doing so for years after their chicks are out of the henhouse. The journey to that special day is filled with stress and worry we have all inflicted on our own mothers and have had done so to us (my own list is of dilemmas is limited to sleepless nights and poopy diapers, but it’ll grow). As it does, so will my admiration of mothers everywhere, who still, for the most part, take on the burden of child rearing.

The importance of it all can get lost in the mundane tasks but it is there and with it the two inseparable things that make moms moms: love and devotion.

Mother’s Day to me has changed forever. But it is a change for the better because I feel my understanding of it has grown.

It’s not about flashy gifts or fancy dinners — at least not this year (sorry honey) — it’s about letting those special women in our lives know that they are amazing in ways they don’t always fully comprehend.

From a brand new father, many, many thanks and the happiest of Mother’s Days to one and all,

JOE IRWIN

Editor