In my last post I talked about how being a mother means walking around with your heart outside of your body. A friend sent me a mom’s thoughts on this issue that further explains the vulnerability, the sacrifice, and the joys of parenthood. Her thoughts go like this:
Before I was a Mom I never tripped over toys or forgot words to a lullaby. I didn’t worry whether or not my plants were poisonous. I never thought about immunizations.
Before I was a Mom – I had never been puked on. Pooped on. Chewed on. Peed on. I had complete control of my mind and my thoughts. I slept all night.
Before I was a Mom – I never held down a screaming child so doctors could do tests. Or give shots. I never looked into teary eyes and cried. I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin. I never sat up late hours at night watching a baby sleep.
Before I was a Mom – I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn’t want to put him down. I never felt my heart break into a million pieces when I couldn’t stop the hurt. I never knew that something so small could affect my life so much. I never knew that I could love someone so much. I never knew I wouild love being a Mom.
Before I was a Mom – I didn’t know the feeling of having my heart outside of my body. I didn’t know how special it could feel to feed a hungry baby. I didn’t know the bond between a mother and her child. I didn’t know that something so small could make me feel so important and happy.
Before I was a Mom – I had never gotten up in the night every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay. I had never known the warmth, the joy, the love, the heartache, the wonderment or the satisfaction of being a Mom. I didn’t know I was capable of feeling so much, before I was a Mom.