"The things I'm doing are important."

I whisper as I hit snooze one last time on my 5 am alarm.

"The things I'm doing are important."

I whisper as I drag my groggy, middle-aged biscuit to the coffee pot.

"The things I'm doing are important."

I whisper as I pack lunches, even adding that piece of healthy fruit I know is returning home to me.

"The things I'm doing are important."

I whisper as the kiddos fight like hell against my removal of their cozy comforter and request that they both rise and get ready.

"The things I'm doing are important."

I whisper as I unload and reload the dishwasher, knowing it'll be time to unload and reload again in just a few hours.

"The things I'm doing are important."

I whisper as I make a breakfast surely at least one will complain about.

"The things I'm doing are important."

I whisper as I fill in my calendar with our busy schedule.

"The things I'm doing are important."

I whisper as I drive my three daises around like their own personal, albeit unpaid Uber.

"The things I'm doing are important."

I whisper as I vacuum and mop though it won't look as I had by the end of the day.

"The things I'm doing are important."

I whisper as I attempt to declutter our home.

"The things I'm doing are important."

I whisper as I tidy up each room.

"The things I'm doing are important."

I whisper as I switch laundry loads for the umpteenth time.

"The things I'm doing are important."

I whisper as I prep, serve and clean up from dinner.

"The things I'm doing are important."

I whisper as I help with homework and fend off any resistance to completing it.

"The things I'm doing are important."

I whisper as I make those good-parent-mandated-but-highly-unpopular with-the-under-eighteen-crowd decisions.

"The things I'm doing are important."

I whisper as I stand my ground despite any real or crocodile tears and sassy pushback.

"The things I'm doing are important."

I whisper as I lay in my kid's bed for what feels like f-o-r-e-v-e-r.

"The things I'm doing are important."

I whisper as my trapped arm, and I attempt to slide out of and escape said bed without getting caught.

"The things I'm doing are important."

I whisper as I answer those middle-of-the-night calls only meant for mom.

"The things I'm doing are important."

I whisper to myself as I get back in the warmth of my own bed.

"THE THINGS YOU ARE DOING ARE VERY, VERY IMPORTANT"

HE tells me whenever I question my value.

"THE THINGS YOU ARE DOING ARE VERY, VERY IMPORTANT"

HE tells me when I pray to him for the

motivation,

strength,

positive attitude and energy,

and gratitude

to do all again tomorrow,

and for every tomorrow that follows.