Being a Mother is Wonderful and Terrible and Joyous and Hard

Tiny

And needy

And vulnerable,

And you are swollen with love and awe at the precious creature you were entrusted with.

Fearful that they might break, you read and research every decision from feeding times, to how often they should “poop.”

You are their universe.

When they toddle forth, exploring their world, you are the protecter and the introducer of all things new and delightful.

When they suck the life out of you, with their time consuming care and demands, you feel needed and at times overloved.

You are their solar system. 

Then school begins and friendships form and change and fall apart, but you are the constant.

You are the one who is always there for them as they figure out how to navigate away from the home and security they know.

Elementary school races, and bullies goad, and clicks form, and sports and grades and activities judge their little souls. When disappointments rise and hurts flood, you are there to wipe the tears and send them back, shored-up with love and encouragement.

You are their world.

When they are teenagers and separating, and finding themselves, and deciding that it is not cool to hang with the parents, you feel underloved. But they always know you are there for them.

You are their island when they choose to visit.

When they graduate and step into the world and your hovering is seen as a bad thing, you have withdrawals. As they leave the nest and spread their wings you mourn. Yet there is a certain thankfulness and satisfaction that they are able to navigate in this world. There’s that knowledge that you actually did grow them in such a way that they formed wings, and were not crippled by your mistakes.

And as they stand on their two feet alone and suddenly realize that you do have knowledge and insight and are good for advice and words of encouragement. You feel loved again.

And you are their rock.

And you thank God for the blessings of being a parent and know that your role from here on out will be different, but your prayers can cover the miles daily–even if you can’t be physically present.

And you move on,

And the sadness eventually lifts

And you find a new rhythm. 

 

PS. Thank you Lord for my Godly Mother who taught me your ways from a young age.

Thank you for giving her a joyful spirit, and the patience to love me unconditionally and show me what a mother looks like.

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Deuteronomy 4:39-40 Acknowledge and take to heart this day that the Lord is God in heaven above and on the earth below. There is no other.  Keep his decrees and commands, which I am giving you today, so that it may go well with you and your children after you and that you may live long in the land the Lord your God gives you for all time.