The conclusion of a research conducted by Salary.com, a firm based in Waltham, Massachusetts reported their findings this week. Salary.com specializes in determining compensation.

Forty thousand (40,000) mothers responded online to Salary.com explaining their job duties and how many hours they worked each week. It was reported the typical mother puts in a 92-hour workweek and works at least ten jobs. In order of hours spent per week on these duties, they are: housekeeper, day-care center teacher, cook, computer operator, laundry machine operator, janitor, facilities manager, van driver, chief executive officer and psychologist. Salary.com figured out the median salaries for each position and calculated the average number of hours worked at each, and the firm came up with $138,095, which they said was three percent higher than last year's results.

Gospel artist Shirley Caesar did a remake of a country gospel song in 1975. I was reminded of the following lyrics as I read this report.

"For the nine months I carried you holding you inside me, no charge. For the nights I sat up with doctored you and prayed for you, no charge. For the time and tears and the costs through the years, there is no charge. When you add it all up the full cost of my love is no charge. For the nights filled with gray and the worries ahead; for the advice and the knowledge and the costs of your college no charge. For the toys, school, and clothes and for wiping your nose, there's no charge son. When you add it all the full cost of my love is no charge."

One must give Salary.com credit for their wisdom in not attempting to put a monetary value on a Mother's love. Positions the survey failed to include in a mom's job duties were: doctor and nurse, Ambassador of Peace/Referee, coach, personal shopper, seamstress, hair stylist, and liaison specialist. The survey said even a mom who works full-time outside of the home puts in $89,939 worth of work as mothers.

We pay tribute to all mothers everywhere. One does not have to have conceived and given birth to be considered a mother. There are males who are fulfilling the role of "mother" today. There are mothers who gave life to their babies, only to give up their babies in the hopes of a better life.

If your work is your family, your contribution is immeasurable. Moms wear many hats. They just do what needs to be done. A day is set aside to give honour where it is due. Telephone companies have reported for years Mother's Day is the busiest call-day of the year. This seems rather appropriate to me.

All of the job duties listed does not a mother make. It is what's inside her heart.

The gospel song, No Charge, ends with these lyrics:

"Well you know when I think about that, I think about the day that Jesus went out to Calvary and gave his life as a ransom for me. When I think on the words "If any man be in Christ he's a new creature," I like to think about the very minute that He shed his blood. My debt was paid in full and I want you to know today when you add it all up the full cost of real Love is no charge."

A Mother's love is priceless. Mother's Day is every day!

Copyright © 2007 by Avis Ward of GeoVi's Home for Life