"I thought my mom's whole purpose was to be my mom. That's how she made me feel."
-Natasha Gregson Wagner
"You give up your self, and finally you don't even mind. I wouldn't have missed this for anything. It humbled my ego and stretched my soul. It gave me whatever crumbs of wisdom I possess today." -Erica Jong
"There are so many disciplines in being a parent besides the obvious ones like getting up in the night & putting up with the noise during the day. And almost the hardest of all is learning to be a well of affection and not a fountain, to show them we love them, not when we feel like it, but when they do." -Nan Fairbrother
"For the mother is and must be, whether she knows it or not, the greatest, strongest, and most lasting teacher her children have." -Hannah Whitall Smith
"The walks & talks we have with our two-year-olds in red boots have a great deal to do with the values they will cherish as adults." -Edith F. Hunter
(that one is one of my favorites!!!)
Mother's Day.
I do always think on this day about the women who, for a variety of reasons, have empty arms & aching hearts.
However, I am a mother & the blessing of motherhood can absolutely be celebrated.
I am thankful for my mom. She did not consider it a loss to 'just' be our mother. The hard work, the weeks of camp paid for, the mornings of Keys for Kids or a Psalm were not wasted. She continues to be a major support to me! (Love you, Marmee!)
God has given me these two children. Noelle Patricia & Micah Sean.
It hasn't been exactly as I thought it would be, (but whatever IS?). I never, ever, ever dreamed that I would be a single mom to them. Just as strongly, I never, ever, ever dreamed that there would 'only' be two! I knew since childhood that I wanted about seven children! This still pains my heart but I do not have far to look to count my blessings!
So, with respect to those with empty arms, I have this earthly joy:
To my Noelle & to my Micah:
This journey of mothering you has been the joy of my life.
I would not trade this journey for any other thing. Every tear cried, every Cheerio dropped, every poopy diaper changed, every PT appointment, every discipline & punishment doled out, you are more than worth it.
I praise our Lord for entrusting me to be your mother. The edification process has been like no other & I can only imagine that we are just getting started!! Kind of like Marilla Cuthbert, I feel like, "He knew I needed you!"
As I have told you so many times, "You can never be so good that I will love you more & you can never be so 'bad' that I will love you less. I just love you."
I had a good example, but this is also all that I ever wanted. To be your mom. I basically marinated in that first pregnancy, looking forward to the day of birth. Reading book upon book & storing up the knowledge I would need to raise a baby. I was made to do this.
In spite of the unexpected difficulties, it has been everything I could have hoped it to be. And the journey isn't over yet! I truly mean it when I say that I can imagine no other way I would rather have spent my time, my money, my life ~than with you & for you!
Late nights prepping for parties & picnics in the yard & literally hundreds of conversations in the van.
I hold you with an open hand. It is my hope and prayer that I can be an encouragement to provide growth. May your talents and natural bents grow under a non-judgemental nourishment. May you listen to advice & accept instruction so that you will be wise. I discipline you because I love you. May you grow in wisdom & in stature & in favor, with God and men. May you know- always - that no matter what, I will always love you & always look for the best in you & will always, always, always be blessed, just because I am your mom.
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