To all the mothers
Compass Family,
This Sunday is Mother’s Day, a day to be grateful to everyone who’s taken on the most important job on the planet.
During this extraordinary time, I’ve been extraordinarily lucky to be able to shelter in place with my wife Benís, my own mother Ruth, and Benís’ mother Elida — three amazing moms under one roof.
Over the years, I’ve learned so much from these three women — and from the thousands of remarkable mothers in the Compass family — and the stories they share with me. From the powerful mothers who won’t take no for an answer. The persistent mothers who always find a way. The supportive mothers who care for the very old and the very young while also trying to care for themselves and live their own lives. The entrepreneurial mothers who run their own businesses while also running their families and their homes. The mothers whose children are struggling, or sick, or far away. The mothers who love men and love women and love themselves. The mothers who had to be tough as nails but still are the first ones you’d call when you need someone to tell you it’s all going to be okay. The mothers who won’t spend a penny on themselves because they want to invest every last cent in the dreams and the education of their children. The mothers who are no longer with us. The mothers who’ve given birth, who’ve adopted, who’ve step-mothered, who’ve foster-mothered, who’ve single-mothered, and those who’ve chosen not to be mothers at all and instead looked out for all the kids in the neighborhood. The mothers who do the impossible and the mothers who fight to make it all a little less impossible for the next generation.
To my wife and the mother of my children, Benís: Seeing everything you do for our kids up close, while we’re both working from home, has been eye-opening and awe-inspiring. You’re an absolutely incredible mother. I’m amazed at everything you’ve been through and accomplished in your life so far — and I know our children are as proud of you as I am.
To every mom at Compass, I want you to know that I see you and I hear your stories every day. I know this is a hard time for a lot of moms. And a magical time. And a confusing time. And a scary time. And a beautiful time. For most of the moms I’ve spoken with, it’s all of those things all at once. During this pandemic, I know you’re doing even more than usual: more work, more caring for children and relatives, more home-schooling, more comforting, more problem-solving, more juggling, more cooking, more making everything okay for everyone. You inspire me with your creativity, your grit, your passion, and your leadership — and now more than ever. No matter the odds — and the odds have never felt higher — you find a way to make it work. And we couldn’t make anything work without you.
To everyone at Compass whose mom is still in your life, I encourage you to find a way to honor and celebrate her this weekend. Maybe you’ve decided that a visit, no matter how much you both ache for it, is not possible in this environment. Maybe you’re planning to see your mother on Mother’s Day for the first time since this whole thing began, being extremely careful. But whether safely in person or in some video-based way, I want you to imagine how hard she’d work to figure out a way to make you feel special under these circumstances... and then do the same for her. Moms are amazing — and they deserve to feel that way every day of the year.
Best,
Robert