If Norman Rockwell, best known for painting idyllic scenes of American life in the last century, were with us today, he might be challenged to find today’s typical mom.

She might be at a console in the combat information center of an aircraft carrier. She might be sitting as a justice on the U.S. Supreme Court. Or she might be at home — cooking, cleaning, washing and folding clothes, organizing carpools — before taking a break to polish off her sermon for Sunday.

The “normal” settings for American mothers might have increased a thousand-fold in the last 100 years, but one common denominator hasn’t. Despite anything and everything else on their schedules, it’s their job to nurture the next generation — and they’re still doing their best.

Today we honor our moms, in person if we can, or, if we can’t, by remembering all they did for us.

They always knew how to make things better.

They had explanations when no one else did.

They sensed our moods with insight better than any best friend.

They were our harshest critics. They were our biggest cheerleaders. They were our most ardent defenders.

Few among us who have enjoyed any success or happiness in life will fail to realize that our mothers always put us first and themselves second.

It’s a day to say thanks. It’s a simple thing, but it will mean a lot.