My mom isn't perfect. And growing up with her wasn't easy. Then again, I'm sure growing up with me wasn't easy, either.

I am her first kid and I'm sure I burped up at the most inconvenient times for her, was crying for food at moments she was just about to crash for the night, and more than once went potty at places other than over the toilet. (whoo-hoo!) She probably wondered at many times if she forgot the instruction manual for me at the hospital and where the heck was the button that would stop me from burping up for the umpteenth time on her favorite dress?!

Yes, there were times I wished my mom were this way or that way, but I know that though not perfect, she was chosen to be my mom for a reason. As I got older, I began to realize that it is because of my mom that I know how to be neat and clean. It is because of my mom that I know how to say please and thank you. It is because of my mom that I spend carefully with each paycheck I have. It is because of my mom that I bother to eat vegetables, drink water not soda, and care about my health and what I eat. And because my mom bothered to read to me at an early age, I love to read now and appreciate books. What? You don't get excited when you see an old Encyclopedia Brittanica lying around?

Celebrating Mother's Day isn't about sitting there wondering why my mom wasn't perfect as I was growing up or lamenting on ways she could have been better. It's about celebrating the fact that she did the best she knew how - the way I'm sure every new mom does with their first kid.

Eat your vegetables and have a great Mother's Day celebration this weekend!