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Christina M. Currie

Christina M. Currie's Touch of Spice column appears Fridays in the Craig Daily Press. E-mail her at director@craig-chamber.com

Craig — Hail to all mothers.

I know I'm a little late for Mother's Day, but I'm confident the women of America will understand. They've been busy, too, I'm sure.

Besides, mothers need to be recognized for their contributions every day, not just on those days (OK, that one day) Congress sets aside because, well : I really don't know why. War in Iraq, gasoline nearing $4 a gallon, recession, a housing crisis.

Doesn't our government have anything better to do than to remind people to do something they should already be doing?

I'm sorry. Don't get me started, I'll get way off topic.

My point is this. Mothers don't get near enough credit - on Mother's Day or any other - for all they do.

It's not that they're underpaid. We don't ask to be compensated for the things we do. I don't need the $17 an hour - or whatever studies say the going rate is - for cooking, cleaning, nursing, advising and providing for my children. We take full responsibility for the choice we made.

Breakfast in bed is nice. Gifts (in my case) of a decorated tin planted with flowers tucked in a hand-colored bag touch our hearts to the very core.

But, and it's a big but, would it hurt to extend that veneration to a daily occurrence? OK, I'd settle for monthly.

My girls are 6- and 7-years-old, so I still am in at the point where I know they sort of value me. I do have a car and a bank account.

But, I'm beaten by a sense of injustice. I'm just mom.

Like the other day when 7-year-old Katie chose me to be "arrested" because I wasn't the fun one, I was the one who made them clean their room.

Or while on vacation when Katie spat, "I wish I was at daddy's. He lets us eat whenever we want."

I must come to grips with the fact that I am the disciplinarian, the enforcer and the worker. I am the one who cannot play because laundry must be done. I am the one who doesn't allow my children to play when dinner must be eaten. I am the setter of bedtimes and the pusher of broccoli. And at this point in my children's lives, those are the things they think of when they think of me.

I realize that will change as they step into the same role, but still.

Low pay, long hours, constant worry. Shouldn't my children give me a bit more credit? A pat on the back once in awhile? A "hey, thanks mom for all you do." Do I really have to wait until they have children of their own? Until they're mature enough to understand the sacrifices mothers make?

Then again, I guess if you want to go to a different place, you choose a different path. Here's the deal. I'll put off laundry once in awhile so that I can play tag if they'll say "thanks" when they open their drawers and find stacks of neatly folded, fresh smelling clothes.

It makes me laugh just thinking about the chance of that actually happening.

I'm coming across a little put out here. Turns out, those who launched Mother's Day weren't even seeking recognition from their children.

The day was first meant to unite women for peace. At one time, it was meant to inspire mothers to work toward better sanitary conditions.

Who was it that demanded more? Was it Hallmark? FTD? Was it mothers?

Give us an inch :

You gave us one day, and we want them all.

I won't apologize. We deserve it.

(Note: I am not so naÃive or sexist to think that this only applies to mothers. Please feel free to replace the word "mother" with "father," "grandparent," or any other applicable term at any time).