Fit Lady

I’m a mom. Notice me.
Notice how I cut the crusts off the sandwiches the way my kids like.
Notice how I empty the sink every night, where every bowl, plate, and utensil are stacked and covered in food.
Notice how I stuff the pantry with all the snacks everyone in the family likes.
Notice how I clear all the clutter off the floors, make every doctor’s appointment, and how the toilet paper never runs out.
Notice how I've been wiping butts non-stop for x years.
Notice how I get everyone dressed, fed, hustle everyone out the door, into the bath, make dinner, clip fingernails and toenails, and then muster enough energy to read bedtime stories.
Notice how the laundry gets done that no one usually mentions until they can’t find their favorite shirt ANYWHERE.
And notice how I work my butt off for this family.
But above all else, notice how I'm always there whenever my kids need me—
from a hug to an ear to listen, anything—
because they come first.
If you’re a mom, you’re nodding your head right now in solidarity,
because these are the things, EVERY mom does.
And sometimes we feel like no one cares about our time and effort,
and it hurts.
But out of our love for our family
we continue to fold laundry, put away Legos, unstick stickers, and wait
for someone, anyone, to notice us.
📸: Giselle Dekel

A journalist asks Cristiano Ronaldo:
"Why does your mother still live with you?
Why don't you build her a house?"
Cristiano Ronaldo replies:
"My mother raised me and she dedicated her life for me. She would go to sleep hungry, just to let me eat. We had no money at all.
She worked 7 days a week and nights as a maid to buy my first shoes so I could be a player. All my success is dedicated to her and because of her and as long as she has a life, she will always be by my side, she has everything I can give.
She is my refuge and my greatest gift."