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.