As I parked in front of my laptop to write this week’s column, something immediately struck me…and it was just a simple number.

100, to be exact.

Hard to believe, but this is my 100^th “Tireless Mom” column and since I’ve only missed one week since I began, it has become a kind of family diary for me.  Which means, my friends, that you poor souls have been made to sit through my literary scrapbook, week after week, reading about everything from piano lessons to potty training.  It has been fun, it has been therapeutic, and at times a little embarrassing.  Somehow, it has been almost two years.

Although each Monday afternoon begins with the feeling of “Ugh, what am I possibly going to write about this week?” I always go to bed with another one under my belt.  Sometimes I feel like I’m reaching for topics while others seem to write themselves. 

The truth is, with three kids, two working parents, sports, school, daycare, activities and a DOG (more on that next week), there’s simply never a shortage of subject matter.  It might be an important life event like graduating from Elementary School (#75) or riding a two-wheeler (#40), a sad story about saying goodbye to a family pet (#77) or the utterly ridiculous like finding a squirrel in your living room (#27), but somehow there’s always something to write about.

While perusing my last 99 columns, I found myself spending more time reading and reminiscing than actually writing.  In taking stock of the last two years, I’ve realized that there are a few underlying themes you’ll find by taking a peek into the parenting escapades of yours truly:

• I spend a lot of time on the side of a soccer field, baseball field or basketball court.  A LOT of time.
• When I can’t come up with anything astounding to write about, you’ll be forced to read one of my lame poems like “Ode to Dr. Seuss” (#8) and “’Twas the Night Before Christmas at the Shumway’s” (#50).
• My parenting wisdom is anything but, as evidenced by “The Archive of Stupid Parenting Moves” (#21), “Sewing the Patchwork Quilt of School Vacation Childcare” (#33) and “Realizing my 7-year old daughter was wearing Toddler-sized underwear” (#66).  All true stories, mind you.
• I know some really amazing people and love to share their stories.  Many come to mind, like the tribute to my surrogate Grandmother Gertrude (#22) and watching our beloved friend Kathy Taraschi sing the National Anthem at Fenway Park (#35).  Earlier this year I shared the story of how my 6-year old niece Lydia taught me about confidence when she underwent surgery to correct her smile (#57), and just a few weeks ago I told you about our friend Jean Fox and her crusade to keep her grandson out of the Foster Care system (#98).  Inspiration can come from so many different places…sometimes where you least expect it.

What I’ve loved most about writing “Tireless Mom” is that no matter how heavy or how silly the subject matter may be, there is always someone out there who can relate. 

Whether I’m feeling the guilt of being an overscheduled mom with nothing to serve for dinner or just stupid because I can never remember when the first day of school is, I’ll see a comment or a post from someone who has been there, can sympathize, or just got a laugh out of it.  And every time, that’s all I need to fire up the laptop and tell another story.

Thank you all for spending the last 100 weeks with me…here’s to 100 more!