Thankless

I got to thinking the other day, motherhood is probably the most thankless job I have ever had in many respects. It all started with something that Bill said when we were walking back from the Shark Tank after Callie's first sharks game. I was jibing him about waking her up during her morning nap. He explained that he was getting her stuff transferred back to my car and said "That's the thanks I get?" To which I said, "And what thanks do I get?" And its true, as a mom of an infant you don't get much. When you are working in a traditional job you receive thanks and feedback. If I was teaching, I would get a "Thanks for going over my essay with me Ms. CG." or "Thanks for that review session." or "Good morning" even! Sometimes that thanks is simply monetary. That is communicative of a job well done. My "employer" can't talk and say "Thanks mom, you rock." "Thanks mom for making my food." Thanks mom for wiping my ass 8 times a day." "Thanks mom for making sure I'm safe and loved." Moms do all of those things and so much more but sometimes it just seems expected. Sometimes I feel like I am taken for granted around here. If we had Callie in day care we would be giving her caretaker thanks in the form of money. I guess sometimes I would just like to hear that I am doing a good job because everyone needs that from time to time.
On the other hand, motherhood is the most amazing thing I have ever experienced. Maybe I get my thanks from Callie through her smiles and her ridiculously adorable laugh. I feel thanked when she gives me that sloppy open mouthed kiss on half of my face. I feel thanked when she snuggles into my neck and goes to sleep. I feel thanked when she looks up at me with sleepy eyes and plays with my hair. I feel thanked when I think about how blessed I am, even if no one says it out loud to me.