Being on deadline all week and having to get both the North Kitsap Herald and the What’s Up entertainment section to press on time, I tend to procrastinate a tad in other aspects of my life. I see it as a way of balancing things out to some degree.

Giving a yin a yang and whatnot. (Yeah, right.)

So it should come as no surprise that I’m wishing women everywhere a Happy Mother’s Day three days late. My own mom would surely understand. My wife? Not so much.

That said, I probably owe her a few since she did bring our son into the world and has taken a definite edge in our ongoing tally concerning who’s taking care of the kid more often. OK, so I’m a few points behind, but I think seeing a real mom in action daily has given me a better appreciation of mothers everywhere. And while the “thank you” is three days late (cards are in the mail ladies), I assure you the awe and gratitude are as constant as dirty onesies are in the Irwins’ laundry basket.

And we’re just raising one child.

I have close friends who have numerous kids, although the days of big Catholic families on Capitol Hill in Seattle where I was raised seem to be gone for good. Our household of six children was dwarfed by a few just blocks away. Eleven kids. Thirteen kids? Man, the poopy diaper pail alone must’ve been the size of a dumpster.

But behind all of these families, was a strong mother. I’ve come to find that 13 or one, virtually every mother I’ve ever met has been sweet, kind, giving and tough as nails.

I suppose it just goes with the territory.

So, a few days late, I’d just like to wish a happy Mother’s Day to all but give a special shout out to our Herald coworker and friend Jody Henning and her husband Matt who welcomed their son into the world Monday. It’s early still, but I know that as their new arrival grows, so will their appreciation of motherhood and its true meaning and importance.

JOE IRWIN

Editor