No doubt it’s the most magical time of the year. Embroidered stockings are perfectly hung, Christmas trees are up, and decorated just so. “Santa” has been busy cooking up photo worthy smiles, preparing perfect presents for the nice and naughty, just the same. Children’s eyes are lit with excitement, while adults are filled with pleasant nostalgia. Love and laughter lift the spirits of everyone around.

In some way it’s nice to believe that the season itself comes with this spirit of cheer and goodwill. But somewhere behind the scenes of all the merry, is a mom with exhausted eyes and weary hands. She smiles with satisfaction to see her family enjoying the fruits of her labor, months in the making!

She organized the family photo shoot and made sure the outfits were perfectly matched. She designed the holiday card, on one app or the other and got them sent out, at least before the new year! She shopped for presents for grandparents, teachers and family friends. She wrapped and delivered them all too! She dragged the tree out of its hiding spot in the garage or storage, or nagged her husband to get it done. She trimmed it beautifully with ornaments old and new and sighed patiently as toddlers “helped” or teenagers refused.

She went from one school event to the next, bringing something special to share each time. She balanced the cake for her husband’s work party in one hand, and 2 restless preschoolers in the other. She worked an extra shift to make sure her kids get everything on their list checked off, no small feat nowadays. She took one extra client or business meeting to ignite hope for a truly prosperous new year. She packed bags for the family vacation to visit grandma. She cooked and baked, and cooked some more. She got the house cleaned and prepared for visitors.

She did it all while managing the regular demands of motherhood; the messes, snotty noses, homework, tantrums, doctors’ appointments, bedtime routines, never-ending laundry, play-dates and more. She did it all with a million things on her mind; aging parents, credit card bills, work commitments and all the challenges that will be ushered in with the new year. She wonders how she will manage it all. But now that the time to enjoy is finally here, she rests her head in an un-manicured hand and breathes in the wonderful sentiment she has created. She breathes out the stress and closes her eyes for just a minute, before her work begins again. She prays that God will give her, His angel right here on earth, the strength she needs to keep it all going for another year!

Merry Christmas to all the magic makers in the shadows, the moms making it happen holiday after holiday and especially at Christmas! While all the work you’ve done may have floated over the heads of family, your fellow moms know this well-kept secret all too well! So, at Christmas let’s raise our glasses of "ponche de creme" or wine, high in a toast to each other, before we have to put them down and save the day again. Merry Christmas to you Moms!

If you enjoyed this post take a moment to sign up for updates, announcements and chances to win giveaways from ispeakmom.com 

© Nicola Rios Nogales and ispeakmom.com, 2017. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Nicola Rios Nogales and ispeakmom.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.