I asked him to chop it

Sure, I was there on a whim

So he did

The feeling was like chocolate

Just before Mother’s Day

And I had talked to my mom just this morning

She said not to whack it

She also said a few years ago that having a baby was the way to go

I’ve been told my life will be marked by regrets

Over not having: hair, a child, a leather handbag

But you know, to me it’s never seemed fair

To judge a person by what they have or wear

And it’s a bit wild to believe that one’s dream is another’s

Nurseries are my idea of hell

Shopping as therapy is a myth to dispel

Instead, let me set out on a spring day among the colors

In my yoga pants covered in Golden retriever fur

Yes, I want to chop my hair, I’m sure

Women can do pull-ups

And I’m not talking about the diaper kind

Ah, never mind

It’s funny my dad tried to talk me out of getting married and into being a doctor

But I was in love and married, “settled” for being a nurse

Reached the moon in my husband

Being a people-pleaser is a curse

My psyche’s on the mend

I’ll take my mom some flowers tomorrow

I hope my short hair won’t drown her in sorrow

And I won’t be wearing a dress

Maybe my fur baby and husband will get me some chocolate

My life’s so good right now, I don’t know if I can top it

A woman is more than her hair

Or the children she does or does not bear

Sometimes I wonder why my mom had me

When she looks at me, is she happy?

We always clashed

Like a basketball I was chasing going full speed into boutique-shop glass

Charm is deceptive, beauty is fleeting – so the Proverb goes

A Proverbs 31 woman is someone worth being

My mom was and is that

Maybe hairstyles and children-as-accessories and shopping sprees, even careers

Are useless pursuits, even self-serving?

A woman is more than hair

My mom’s and even mine, is turning gray

I hope we’ll look past all the superfluous

Set out to do this: respect, honor, and love

And have meaningful moments and precious time – on Mother’s Day