Today's a big day.

A BIG DAY.

603.

That's approximately how many days it's been since coronavirus reared its ugly face in my family's life.

603.

It's how many days my kids have heard of the virus making people really, really sick and many dying from it.

603.

It's how many days they've felt their mama's anxiety and fear over the toll that a global health pandemic is taking on them, the whole family, healthcare workers, school teachers, their neighbors, and their world.

603.

It's how many days they've worn a mask to prevent getting sick and to prevent further spread of this nasty virus.

603.

It's how many prayers their mama has prayed that they would get to this point, to this day, where there is a kids' vaccine available to give them some protection.

603.

It's how many days they've clung to gratitude and optimism and, thankfully, sprinkled that goodness on pessimism-prone adults around them.

603.

It's how many days they've continued to find reasons to laugh, enabling the elder lot of us to do the same.
603.

It's how many days I've given thanks to God for keeping them healthy and safe.

603.

It's how many stressful days they've had to avoid certain indoor activities and jam-packed outside ones too.
603.

It's about how many seconds they'll have to wait post-shot to see if they have a rapid reaction.

603.

It's the amount of

hugs,

kisses,

"I love you" s

and ice cream scoops they deserve

for being

SO

FREAKIN'

BRAVE.

And patient.

And hopeful.

And unrelentingly HAPPY.

For the past 603 days, I've worried for my kids more than I ever have, and though a mother's worry for her children never ceases, the chances of them getting severely ill from covid does, and I'm eternally grateful for that.

And it's thanks to this vaccine.

To this shot.

To this moment.

Today I thank those in healthcare and medical science.

Today I thank those in teaching and educational admin and support positions.

Today I thank every human that has said, written, or done something to help parents keep their heads up these past 19 months.

But, mostly, and most notable,

I thank my kids and all kids for being the most fearless, fun-loving, situation-accepting, along-for-the-ride, huge-hearted, tough-as-nails humans this world will ever know.

Listen up, kids...

YOU ARE THE KINDA HUMANS THIS WORLD NEEDS MORE OF.

THE WORLD IS MADE BETTER BY YOU.

Mamas, like me, are made better by you.

Please know your forever worth and only surround yourself with people who know the same.

603.

It's how many days my kids have waited to be vaccinated.

603.

It's how many days my kids have stared coronavirus in the face and said, "Not today, buddy."

603.

It's how many days my kids have had to wonder, "Is today the day I'll get sick?"

603.

It's how many days my children have pondered what getting the vaccine would be and feel like.

603.

It's how many seconds it took me to convince them of its importance.

603.

It's how many seconds it took to calm their nerves, get them to rally, and step to the counter.

603.

It's how many seconds, at minimum, I hug them each and every day.

603.

It's how many more seconds, at minimum, I'll hug them today.

603.

It's approximately how many words it's taken to convey to you here just how freakin' strong, resilient, adaptable, and courageous today’s “under twelve” crew is.

So…

if you see one of 'em, why don't you tell them how incredible they are — ‘cause they need to hear it, and they DESERVE to hear it.