Every year as Mother’s Day approaches, the same question comes up: What do moms really want?

Some might assume it’s something elaborate – a spa day, a fancy brunch, maybe a little bling-bling in the jewellery box. While those things are certainly lovely, most moms will tell you the real answer is much simpler… and often a little more chaotic.

Motherhood is filled with moments that are equal parts exhausting and hilarious. It’s the constant soundtrack of “Mom, where is my…?” followed by the mystery of whose water bottle is left on the table or the pile of shoes by the door that somehow belong to no one.

Then, there are the things kids say – those perfectly timed comments that are so honest and unintentionally funny you can’t help but laugh.

My oldest once confidently offered a piece of life advice: “It’s easier to ask for forgiveness than permission.” I’m still not sure whether to admire the boldness or question where exactly that wisdom came from.

Another time, I tried to share a thoughtful moment with my son, H. I started to say, “I had a dream…” only for him to quickly respond, “So did Martin Luther King Jr.” Needless to say, my story suddenly felt a lot less significant.

My daughter has her own practical approach to life. When I asked what I owed her after she ordered leggings for both of us, she casually replied, “Nothing. I used your credit card.” Problem solved apparently.

There are also the memories from when they were little – the ones that stay with you forever. I still remember the funniest and most heartfelt letter my youngest wrote to Santa. He asked Santa if he really had magic, and if he did, could he please use it to make all his words ‘rite’.

Life also has a way of providing funny moments long after the kids grow up. At one point, my daughter-in-law was trying to move her car a little further into the garage. The only problem was the car wasn’t moving. After watching her panic-stricken face thinking, “O-M-G, what’s wrong?!” for a moment (note: it was her new car), I casually walked over to the window and said, “You need to turn the car on.” We both had a hardy chuckle. A is a highly intelligent young woman – but clearly all of us can experience brain freeze without ever eating anything cold.

These are the moments I never want to forget, because when it comes down to it, what most moms really want isn’t perfection: it’s appreciation, the hugs, the laughter, memories, the little reminders that the everyday chaos is filled with love, the kind our precious grandson continues to deliver.