Benjamin Franklin said, “…in this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.”

As a mom, I’d like to add one more thing to Ben’s list: motherhood.

After all, what could be more rock solid and certain than the institute of mom? Personally, I think she ranks above taxes. The world could crumble around us, but mom would still be standing. She’d still be taking care of business, telling her kids to brush their teeth, giving out goodnight kisses, and reminding little ones to put their hats on in the cold. She’d still be bursting with pride at first words and first steps, and worrying like mad the first time her child stepped out alone. She’d still be doggedly trying to get her munchkins to eat the proper number of fruits and veggies each day. There’s no doubt in my mind about mom.

Though we each have our own way of doing things, we have a long and honorable lineage that runs from the beginning of time to today and will continue to grow as long as human kind is hanging out in the universe. Despite being continents and centuries apart, moms around the world and through the ages a lot in common. You know that look you give your kids – the one that stops them dead in their tracks when they are about to commit an infraction against house rules? Moms everywhere have used that look since the dawn of time. I bet cavemom used it on her little ruffians. And can’t you see the look on her face when junior came home with a saber toothed kitten dangling from his arms, a pleading look on his face, and a “Can we keep it mom?” on his lips? Been there, done that, right?

And though miles, oceans, and language barriers may stand between us, there are things every mom alive understands – no matter what place on Earth she calls home. I bet that if the running of things (not just in the home, but in the world at large) was left up to moms, we’d have things whipped into shape pretty darn fast. Moms don’t have time for the postulating of politics, we have bigger fish to fry – like whether our kids will get their math grades up, gain the self-confidence to try something new, find love, or discover the truth about happiness.

The bottom line: nothing can keep mom down. Not even death and certainly not taxes. Both may slow us down for a minute, but taxes are mostly just a nuisance and death merely an evolution in our parenting. Taxes may tie mom up in red tape for a bit, or temporarily keep her from providing certain “extras” when she has to write those return checks, but it doesn’t make any difference at all when it comes to what’s most important to her: making sure her children feel loved, safe, and cherished. And death, well death is certainly a bit more of a blip on the radar screen of motherhood, but it is also just a superficial barrier between a mother and her children. Though it might separate them physically, it can’t keep them from each others’ hearts. A mom is a mom forever and ever, no matter what. Nothing is more certain than that.

Image Credit: Tracy Olson