for all mothers

Before I was a Mom,

I made and ate hot meals.

I had unstained clothing.

I had quiet conversations on the phone.

Before I was a Mom,

I slept as late as I wanted.

I never worried about how late I got into bed.

I brushed my hair and my teeth everyday.

Before I was a Mom,

I cleaned my house each day.

I never tripped over toys.

I never forgot words to lullabies.

Before I was a Mom,

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

spit on

chewed on

peed on

or pinched by tiny fingers.

Before I was a Mom,

I had complete control of my mind, thoughts and body.

I slept all night.

Before I was a Mom,

I never held down a screaming child so that 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 it 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 would love being a Mom.

Before I was a Mom,

I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body.

I didn't know how special it could feel to feed a hungry baby.

I didn't know that bond between a Mother and her child.

I didn't know that something so small could make me feel so important.

I had never gotten up in the middle of the night every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay.

Before I was a Mom, 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.

She watches over the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed. (Prv 31:27-28a)

May God's richest blessings be with each of you mothers.