Carrie Bradshaw Moment

Tomorrow is, of course, Mother's Day.  So, firstly, let me wish HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY to those in my acquaintance or readership who are mothers. 

So, my Carrie Bradshaw moment today has to do with Mother's Day.  Today at the grocery store, I'm buying stuff for our dinner and a few Mother's Day cards and the cashier asks, "Are  you a mother?"  And my standard response to this question (or "Do you have kids?") is a head-up, full voiced, very chipper, "No, I do not!"

No follow up explanations.  No "No, never been married"s.  No "No, it wasn't in the cards for me"s.  No "No, but I've always wanted to"s.  Nope.  No kids.  Period. Paragraph. Statement.

I've finally gotten to the point where I make no apologetics for my single state of affairs.  I've never been married because there's never been anyone I really wanted to be married to.  I've never had kids because I've been responsible with my reproductive capabilities.  I won't offer up excuses and bow-headed embarrassment for not having fallen victim to many of my peers' dubious mating habits. 

Don't get me wrong.  I adore my mother.  I adore my friends who are mothers.  But you know what?  THEY never -- even unknowingly-- make me feel like I'm living completely outside of the rules of society. 

And so when that cashier said to me, "Wow. . . you really say that with some pride," I responded with, "Well, yes. . . This county has one of the highest teenage and unwanted pregnancy rates in the U.S. The fact that I've reached the age of 35 as a capable and independent woman is something to be proud of.   I've never felt like I was missing anything by not having children.  It could change someday, and I'll embrace it, but right now I have a lot of things to be proud of.  Being a mother doesn't happen to be one of them."

And then I took my change and walked out. 

So, again. . . . Happy Mother's Day to the mom's out there.  And what's more, Happy Day those non-moms out there who still somehow manage to care for people, nurture relationships, and nurture themselves, without their own day to show for it.  :D