There is no rest for the weary, and mothers are the weariest of them all. On any given day, we wear a revolving array of hats: air traffic controllers, sous chefs, doctors, phycologists, personal assistants, maids, mediators, chauffeurs, psychics, and advocates—and it's exponentially harder if toddlers and teenagers are involved. From the mop to the top, mothers are CEOs of a nonstop, extraordinarily demanding, and unpredictable operation, and motherhood is the holy grail for what it means to be an effective leader.
We would be nothing without our mothers—that's both literal and figurative. Mothers understand their children in ways no one else can. We know the unedited version of our children's stories because we were present when they unfolded.
Mothers are the ultimate protectors, the original "SHEros," who hold everything together when chaos threatens to take over. We build, encourage, safeguard, and defend. Whether our children are grown or still infants relying on us for every need, our instinct to protect them remains unwavering.
Mothers are on call 24 hours a day, without sick days, mental health days, weekends, vacations, or pay. We are invested in our children's growth, happiness, and overall success every minute, all while working longer and sleeping less than our mothers did. Every day, we change the course of the future through the life-giving moments we pour into our family. We form the face of tomorrow by making each moment count because, to a mother, there are no throwaway days.
To your children, you are a hero. You protect them and have all the answers. The love of a child is an all-encompassing, heart-walking-outside-of-our-bodies love. You don't need to be superhuman to be a super mom. Not all heroes wear capes. With every hug, every gentle pat, and every encouraging word, we are making a difference that no one else can. Life is a collection of hats, and I am proud to wear them all.
As a mother, the instinct to "cure everything" often stems from a deep love and protectiveness towards your child, where you naturally want to shield them from any pain or discomfort, leading to a desire to instantly fix any problem they face, whether physical or emotional. Mothers are so much more than bottle washers and bottom wipers. We are responsible for keeping stomachs full and souls fuller. We're world changers who create and mold beautiful little lives one day at a time.
Italian Pastina Soup (aka Nonna's Penicillin Soup)
INGREDIENTS
- 8 cups chicken broth
- 1 large yellow onion, halved
- 4 carrots, peeled and cut in half
- 4 celery ribs, cut in half
- 1 lemon juiced
- 1/4 cup of garlic cloves (about 6-8)
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 bunch of fresh poultry seasoning tied together
- 1 parmesan rind (optional)
- 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper
- 2 tablespoons butter (optional)
- 2 tablespoons Better Than Bouillon Chicken Base
- 1 1/2-2 cups pastina or any tiny pasta variety, like acini di pepe or orzo
- 1/4 cup finely chopped parsley leaves, for garnish
- Grated parmesan cheese for serving
INSTRUCTIONS
- In a large pot with a lid or Dutch oven, stir the broth, onion, carrots, celery, lemon juice, fresh herbs, bay leaf parmesan rind, salt, and pepper. Turn the heat to high to bring to a boil, then lower the heat and cover. Simmer until the vegetables are very tender, 35-40 minutes. You may need to add up to two cups of water if the liquid does not fully cover the vegetables.
- Discard the fresh herbs, bay leaf, and parmesan rind, then use a slotted spoon to transfer the vegetables to a blender or food processor. Add a couple of broth ladles and blend until the vegetables are fully smooth. Scrape the pureed vegetables back into the pot along with butter and Better Than Bouillon. Return the soup to the stove and simmer on low heat until the butter has melted.
- Cook pasta according to package directions, about 3-4 minutes. Drain and drizzle with olive oil to prevent pasta from clumping.
- Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning, adding more salt if needed. Place the desired amount of pasta into serving bowls. Ladle over soup. Finish each bowl with a sprinkle of parsley, grated parmesan cheese, and fresh cracked black pepper.
