Just beneath our skulls lies a thick membrane that surrounds our extra-firm tofu-like brains, called the "dura mater". It's tough and leather like, and from what I hear from people who do brain surgery, it's pretty difficult to cut through. I first leaned about the dura mater in neuroanatomy in vet school, a latin derived word that translates into "tough mother." At the time I didn't really get the name-- sure, it was tough, but why call it tough mother?
It donned on me during my special Mother's Day extra hot and extra long shower, that there's a reason why it's not called the dura father. Mothers are the toughest people in the world. From the early days postpartum, we soldier through torn nether regions and bloody nipples (yes, bloody nipples) to care for and feed our wee ones. Many of us sacrifice our careers to stay at home or work part time, forgoing our egos and any chances of raises or promotions. We face and embrace change-- changes in our bodies as well as changes in our relationships. Trust me, it isn't easy looking at my raisinesque belly in the mirror.
Just between my group of friends, we've dealt with surgeries, back injuries, stomach flu, and more; all to continue on with the daily tasks of motherhood. All mothers are dura maters. Happy Mothers Day.
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