Becoming a Mother

There are women who become mothers without effort.

And although they are good mothers and love their children, I know that I will be better.

I will be a better mother not because of genetics, money, or that I have read better books, But because I have struggled and toiled for this child.

I have longed and waited. I have endured and planned over and over again.

Like most things in life, people who truly have appreciation are those who have struggled to attain their dreams.

I will notice everything about my child.

I will take the 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 and that I'm not waking because of my own nightmares and crying tears of a broken dream.

My dream will be crying for me.

I have been given an insight, a special vision with which I will look upon my child.

A vision that my friends may not see.

Whether I parent a child I give birth to or a child God leads me to, I will not be careless with my love.

I will be a better mother for all I have endured.

I am a better Aunt, a better Wife, a better Daughter, Neighbor, friend and Sister because I have known pain, known disillusionment, been betrayed by my own body and been tried by a fire and Hell that many will never face.

And given time, I stood tall.

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 immense power of another hand holding tight to mine, of others eyes that moisten as they accept harsh truths, when life is beyond hard.

For all this, I will become a better Mother!

(author unknown)