How Is Anyone A Mom?: Redefining Sacrifice in the Face of Shortages

The other week, I celebrated my friend’s birthday by sitting on her couch and letting her make a Wawa run for me.

Colleen, the birthday gal who frequently forgot the occasion that brought me into town was her own birthday, clocked out at noon on Friday and spent her afternoon fetching Coors cases and pub mix (again, for her own birthday celebration). When she joined me in the living room, I answered phones for my boss on speakerphone. Mid-task, I asked, “What am I supposed to be doing?”

“You’re go...