Thoughts on Becoming a Mother

I remember exactly where I was the first time I read this poem... the day, where I was sitting, what was on TV... everything.  It was May 11, 2009, the day after Mother's Day.  I was propped on the couch, Matt in his recliner and we were watching are usual Monday night show, How I Met Your Mother.  The only reason I remember is because after reading it, I felt hopeful and not quite so alone.  

I hope that someone else finds the hope and comfort that I found in this poem... know you're not alone, you will be a mother someday and the emptiness you feel now will be filled with a love so fierce you can't even explain it. 

"There are women that become mothers without effort, without thought, without patience or loss and though they are good mothers and love their children, I know that I will be better.
I will be better not because of genetics, or money or that I have read more books,
but because I have struggled and toiled for this child.
I have longed and waited. I have cried and prayed.
I have endured and planned over and over again.
Like most things in life, the people who truly have appreciation are those who have struggled to attain their dreams.
I will notice everything about my child.
I will take time to watch my child sleep, explore and discover. I will marvel at this miracle every day for the rest of my life.
I will be happy when I wake in the middle of the night to the sound of my child, knowing that I can comfort, hold and feed him and that I am not waking to take another temperature, pop another pill, take another shot or cry tears of a broken dream. My dream will be crying for me.
I count myself lucky in this sense; that God has given me this insight, this special vision with which I will look upon my child that my friends will not see.
Whether I parent a child I actually give birth to or a child that God leads me to, I will not be careless with my love.
I will be a better mother for all that I have endured. I am a better wife, a better aunt, a better daughter, neighbor, friend and sister because I have known pain.
I know disillusionment as I have been betrayed by my own body, I have been tried by fire and hell many never face, yet given time, I stood tall.
I have prevailed.
I have succeeded.
I have won.
So now, when others hurt around me, I do not run from their pain in order to save myself discomfort. I see it, mourn it, and join them in theirs.
I listen.
And even though I cannot make it better, I can make it less lonely. I have learned the immerse power of another hand holding tight to mine, of other eyes that moisten as they learn to accept the harsh truth and when life is beyond hard. I have learned a compassion that only comes with walking in those shoes.
I have learned to appreciate life.
Yes I will be a wonderful mother."
- Author Unknown

And may I add, a little over 32 months later, while I don't love getting up with Gabe and my steps aren't as light as they were when he was 5 months, I truly don't mind.  I'd love more sleep but I can still remember the longing I felt to have a child to wake up with in the middle of the night and I can't complain when I know others have that same longing.  

Be blessed by your children... or remember your blessing is coming.

XO