.
This
THIS, right here I want to SHOUT above your sleeping form
Your tiny little body curled around an improbable number of stuffed animals
This is the mom that I want you to see
This mom – here – now
This mom who is calm – unharried
This mom who is FINALLY running neither to nor from anything
This mom who is not … late, hungry, cranky, tired, in a hurry, has to take care of something first, no not now, later, in a little while, please give me a few minutes, baby, mama needs a break …
No, this
THIS mom
This mom who bows lovingly over your bed
Watching you breathe
Rapt and wrapped in your love
Your spirit
YOU
This mom who lives and breathes you
Who falls in love with you over and over again
Who has forgotten why she was frustrated with you at … dinner, bathtime, bedtime …
Who can focus on nothing – NOTHING! – but you
This mom whose heart aches with pride
.
I want you to remember THIS mom, damn it
But you likely haven’t seen much of her
If you’ve met her at all
.
Because it’s the middle of the night
And you have no idea that she’s here
Watching you sleep
Jess,
In this, you are every Mother! We’ve all been there, my love.
Love,
Mom
I do the same things, feel the same way. You’re not alone. And YES, she *has* met that Mom.
Exactly!
Yes, oh how I relate!
geesh! you are SO hard on yourself. They know you, jess. They love, live and breathe you too. Outsiders, like me, can see that.
oh sweetie, they totally know that mom….you just don’t know her sometimes!
xoxoxo
she knows you. even if she can’t articulate it yet…she knows.
Beautiful. I always wonder about my kids’ perception of me… Knowing that it’s probably nothing like what I think it is scares the hell out of me.
Hey. I know that mom.
And I’m willing to bet
that your kids do, too.
Every mother, most days. Honest.
Why don’t you just tear my heart out now. K?
We are ALL that mom! The good ones of us, anyway.
Spoken like a true mom. We’ve definitely been there.
beautiful.
This brings back lovely memories! I need to do this again too, while I still can!
You have put into words what so many mothers have probably though! Beautiful words!
What have I always told you? So now you know and so do they. What is best of all, they always will know.
You are all grown up and yet, I fall in love with you everyday.
Dad
So sweet. You put into words exactly what I do and feel. Mine is nearly fourteen, but I still stand and watch her sleep.
oh yes.
I saw you in person, and I guarantee they’ve seen THIS mom every day of their lives. Your every gesture oozes love for them. It is beautiful.
I know that feeling. I can’t sleep without kisses and whispers in there ears. And I even like the smell of their sleeping breath! It is amazing how magically it makes the nagging,whining, crying, disappear. And all we are left with is the miracle that is all of us!!
Beautiful!!
OMG – that is the most beautiful thing…
Jess, As Tara grows, I can only hope to be a mother half as good as you are. Your strength, patience, and unending love never cease to amaze me. xo