I am speaking purely for myself here, but I know that having babies changed me more than anything I have ever experienced in my entire life. I had no idea how wonderful it could be to wake up in the middle of the night because you are getting kicked from the inside of your body, or how hilarious it would be to play a game of prenatal hide and seek with daddy. The days that both my girls were coaxed (or rather, pried) from my loins, I experienced a love that I truly believe only a mother could know. And at that moment, I realized just how precious life is. Everything changed. Things that were once important no longer mattered. All that mattered was this sweet, helpless little baby that I held in my arms; fed from my breasts; and in whose eyes I could do no wrong. I became a mother; joining the ranks of women before me whose lives changed in the long few months before their due dates. I was blessed with two beautiful babies, and with a whole new outlook on life.
Having my own children makes me appreciate everything my own mom did for my brother and I growing up. Life at home wasn't always easy; raising children on a ranch is tougher than I ever expected. My mom picked up odd jobs in the off season to help make ends meet; she ran us to sports practices and band concerts; and hauled us back and forth from town when it was needed. She taught us how to ride horses, how to cook, sew, and mend fences. My mom was the toughest cookie I knew; to this day, she is still the most creative and artistic person I have ever been around. She taught me to appreciate all kinds of music, art, and books. Besides all the things she taught me, I inherited some really great things from my mom. Compassion, kindness; a quirky sense of humor... and secret love of Rod Stewart and "The Twilight Zone". I love my mom so very much. As much as sometimes she drives me crazy and makes me want to rip my hair out, I wouldn't know what to do without her. She is a great mom, a wonderful grandmother, and one of my very best friends.
To all the moms out there: I hope you know how wonderful you are. For everything you do for your children, and especially the things you don't. For everything you teach them, the time that you spend molding them into wonderful little human beings, and the amount of time you spend worrying about them. Being a mom is a tough gig; there are no instruction manuals, no procedures or policies to help you out. At the end of the day, I am sure that sometimes all you really want is an ice cold beer and for your sweet little angels to go to bed so you can have five minutes of quiet time before you crash in to sleep. And to the daycare mommies- thank you for helping us raise our children right. You are amazing women with the patience of a saint; and there is more than a soft spot for you in my heart. How you do what you do day after day never ceases to amaze me.
I thank God everyday for blessing me with the gift of motherhood. No matter how hard the days can get or how many times I find myself crying into my pillow wondering if I have just completely ruined my children, I relish in every silly thing they say and do. I am glad that being a mommy is a job I will never retire from- because there is no severance package in the world that could ever replace my babies. I hope you all have a wonderful Mother's Day, spent with the women in your life that have helped shape you and that make you complete. After all, that's what being a mom is all about- sharing your life with the ones you love.
Until next time,
Much love and appreciation from this Momma Bear to the next.
~Richelle