“So take that phone call from your momma, and just talk away, ’cause you’ll never know how bad you wanna, ’til you can’t someday.” — Cody Johnson, “‘Til You Can’t”

Tomorrow is Mother’s Day, so, if you can, be sure to tell your mom you love her.

First of all, Happy Mother’s Day to all the mothers out there. You are what makes the world go ’round.

Second, Happy Mother’s Day to my mother specifically, who I know reads this every week and I hope to make her proud with each and every word.

I’d also like to extend my love to my grandma, godmother, and all the other mother figures who play such an important role in my life. Thank you all for what you do.

This column is partially to brag about having a fantastic mom, but I’d also like to talk about what I think it means to be a mother. Not that I can know exactly, since I’m not a mom, but I’d like to think I have pretty solid examples and role models in my life.

Being a mom is so many things.

Not only are they probably the strongest people out there, but they’re smart, compassionate, supportive, protective, and so much more.

They play so many roles in our lives, even when we don’t always recognize them.

Being a mom is being a doctor.

My mom didn’t go to med school or anything, yet I go to her for every slight issue, and she seems to always have a reliable answer. Just this week, I thought I might have sun poisoning on my nose from the short amount of time my fair skin saw the sun last weekend. At 23 years old, I still turn to my mom for medical advice and her thoughts.

For those curious, we don’t think it’s sun poisoning, but we — I, with my mom continuously checking in — are keeping an eye on it.

Being a mom is being a therapist.

I couldn’t count the number of times I turned to my mom when I had a bad day or just needed someone to talk to. Even at 11 o’ clock at night, she’ll always answer when I need her.

Not that I always want her sound advice, but she hears me out and shares her 2 cents either way.

Being a mom is being a cheerleader.

Every week, my mom texts me saying she read my column and that she’s proud of me. She also tells me that she “doesn’t know how I come up with this stuff sometimes.” To that, I say inspiration usually strikes me to discuss one topic or another, and this week that inspiration is her.

She has always been my and my brother’s biggest cheerleader. She was at every sporting event that she could be to cheer us on, but she also supports us in every other way that she knows how.

I don’t know if I would’ve had the courage to pursue my dreams and move so far from home if it wasn’t for her and my dad cheering me on every step of the way.

Being a mom is being a housekeeper.

Even when she isn’t physically doing the cleaning or cooking, my mom manages to keep our home orderly, whether that’s by bugging us until we finally clean our rooms or offering to help.

And, even when she’s tired and doesn’t want to cook, she keeps us all fed. I can’t thank her enough for all she continues to do.

Being a mom is being a financial manager.

Shoutout to my mom for doing my taxes every year.

She also helped me set up bank accounts, apply for credit cards, find cheaper flights, go through the car leasing process, and so much more, and she always makes sure I still have enough funds to keep myself healthy and happy.

Being a mom is being a teacher.

Yes, my mom has helped me learn how to clean, cook, etc., but she also taught me to be a good person. She taught me manners and self-awareness. She also taught me how to be a friend, ’cause sometimes that’s all people need.

Being a mom is being a friend.

The best friends are those whom I’m not afraid to be myself around, I can trust, and know how to have a good laugh. That would describe my mom.

She knows me in and out and would do anything for me.

And I don’t tell her thank you as much as I should.

So, if you can, go tell your mom that you love her. Tell her that you appreciate all that she does and all the roles that she plays in your life.

And don’t be afraid to do it more often than just on Mother’s Day.

Torianna Marasco can be reached at 989-358-5686 or tmarasco@TheAlpenaNews.com.