Last night I chased my superhero one year old around a wedding for 2 hours in heels. My beautiful cousin Amy got married to an equally wonderful guy and we were so happy to be there. Especially little t. He was so excited that he refused to be held - he just wanted to wander and people watch. I get it. He refused to eat more than a few bites of the ridiculously delicious catered food - he already had some milk, he insisted. But the kicker was that he wouldn't ride on anyone's shoulders. This is our go-to! We spent two 8+ hour days at Universal Studios a few weeks ago and it was shoulder-riding that got us through! He just really wanted to be free to roam, to explore, to try to sneak around unseen. Dad was in another city in class and I felt like I sometimes do after a particularly exhausting day that seems to never end - like a single parent. I must have had that deer in the headlights look on my face because my grandfather's niece (who I haven't seen since I was probably 8 or 9) sat down next to me and gently reminded me that we've all been there, and anyone at the table would be happy to take a turn playing with him. That is what it's all about. We are all in this earth experience with different gifts and talents in order to work together and help each other out. This is what "it takes a village" means to me: jumping in to pick up slack when the weight on someone's shoulders is visibly pulling them down. Bev, you are an awesome mom and truly amazing lady and might not possibly know what a saving grace you were to me last night. Thank you. To all the moms and mom-supporters out there - you make our world a happier place and your love lifts us above our sometimes mediocre and less-than-extravagant days. Home alone, sleep-deprived, covered in who knows how many different substances, we are trying to mold our perfect (to us) children into beautiful, compassionate human beings. And we need all the pats on the back we can get.