Before long, my bright blue eyed little
“monster” was squirming in my arms and nuzzling into my embrace. I fell in love harder and faster than ever before. I thought I could never love anyone as much as my husband, but my pint-sized mini-me proved me wrong (as he has done so many times since then). For the first time in my life I truly understood what it meant to love unconditionally and felt that I would willingly and without hesitation jump in front of a bullet to save my child. Almost as instantly as I was overcome with so much love, fear reared its ugly head. For as much as I wanted to love and protect this tiny little baby, I knew that eventually I’d have to let him go and experience the world—a world which is often as cruel as it is wondrous. Nearly ten years have passed since then, and not one day goes by in which I don’t worry about my children. As a newbie mommy, this was one emotion I didn’t realize was cemented into the foundation of parenthood. I know now that for the rest of my existence I will agonize over my children’s decisions, applaud their triumphs, and weep over their each and every heartbreak.
Motherhood has shown me what it means to love, to live, and to grow as an individual. Each day I’m more amazed by my little balls of energy, who have shown me how to laugh when life is stressful and to embrace every precious moment of every day. Life is truly the most blessed of gifts.
Wishing every mom, aunt, teacher, and friend who has shaped the life of a child a very Happy Mother’s Day!
Image: Me and my Mini-Me on the day I became a Mommy in 2001
