The Hopeful, Un-Mother's Take on Mother's Day...

By: Mika Stambaugh

I am a 35-year-old woman. I have never been married and don't have any offspring. Although I do consider myself a "fur baby mama" with one passed English Bulldog and my current French Mastiff, Chapo. 

Every year, a day before and the day of Mother's Day every cashier, front desk staff at the gym and coffee baristas always wish me a "Happy Mother's Day". The gesture is nice, but about 15 seconds later I am smacked with the reality that I AM NOT A MOM. 

Of course, I could spew a million reasons why I am not a Mom, but I won't. Not everyone wants kids ... I do. Some women may have lost a child, or aren't with their kids due to the divorce weekend split, or aren't on speaking terms with their children, which makes this day sour instead of sweet.  

So when a stranger wishes me the very simple, kind gesture of a "Happy Mother's Day" greeting it is bitter sweet. I am hopeful that one day I will have the honor to return the friendly gesture with a BIG ole smile and say "Thank You". Until then ... I will just smile and say "you too"!

The bottom line is Mother's Day isn't all brunch, bouquets of flowers and bubbly for everyone.