I almost squashed a hen today on our only six-lane road. I saw her darting from the other side. I noticed the cars on that side were far enough away, but then I realized oh no I’m going to hit her. I looked in my rearview, no one behind me, slammed my breaks, the guy to the left of me slammed his breaks, and my tires missed her by a few inches. She spun around and ran back to where she came from — only this time those cars are also way too close. Praise be … they hit their brakes too. Mama hen gets to live another day (or minute, if she makes another dumb move like that), huffing and puffing her oh shits before finding her way back to her chicks.

That, my friends, is motherhood.

You survive the near catastrophes (and why did no one ever tell us there would be so many of them) by the good graces and quick thinking of others (as well as your own quick moves —or dumb luck).

Okay, it’s also life. But it’s Mother’s Day, so let’s give it to the moms.

For those of us who live so far away, it’s a tough holiday. There is no over-priced brunch with bubbly and our kids. There is video calling (for me it’s via Facebook), but when you’re 17 hours ahead on the time zone, the calls will happen at work on Monday (with your office door closed and an “in a meeting” sign posted).

BUT, when you live on an island with good friends, you make do by going diving and enjoying Mother Nature’s gifts. While I most certainly didn’t do the mad-mother-hen dash today, I did get to hover near an extraverted octopus who changed her colors and toyed with us. I also looked a reef shark in the eye while he swam by us, and, lol most surprisingly of all, I got to see a baby squid mistake a dive buddy for its mama. We also swam with turtles and too many types of fish to list. I am so grateful for the people in my life who sway in and out of life’s murky waters with me — and who love the wonder within it as much as I do.

We miss our babies, but cheers! LOL and look at that baby squid. It attached itself to Pam’s fin. We hope it found its way to safety.

And because I got sidetracked, I didn’t get around to posting this on Mother’s Day. Sooooo, it’s now also an homage to the friends in my life who make it so much fun (there are so many more of you not pictured in below slide show, BUT you know who you are — and I bet you’re already posted somewhere in this blog).

Have a great week everyone! The weekend is just a few days away…