“Life is a promise, fulfill it.” ~ Mother Theresa
Mother’s Day is almost upon us and if there is one thing that is clear here in this blog, I LOVE being a mother.
When I became a mother I came to realize that my life was no longer about just being a mother to my minis. Becoming a mother made me see my relationship with my own mother in a new light, and my mother’s relationship with her mother, and my own relationship with my grandma. From this history we learn about the past and shape our futures.
I am fortunate to have a very good relationship with my own mom. Of course, like most Mothers and Daughters we don’t agree on everything, but that’s ok, because the love we have makes that ok. It is this love that I hope my minis will always feel from me. The one that is unconditional. That no matter what the future holds for all of us, they will understand in the deepest part of their heart that my love for them knows no boundaries. If floats free of space and time, and has nothing tied to it. I made them this promise the moment I heard the words “your blood work looks good.”
As many of you know, the fight and promise of motherhood started long before there were sleepless nights and ever-growing number of grey hairs on my head. It started in a doctor’s office, with test after test, stick after stick, specialists and countless trips for bloodwork. Then there were shots, shots, and more shots. And then there was a “procedure” and then 10 days of what I thought were the longest days of my life. Of course, our fight did not end there. Promises were made.
When Baby B (E) was not growing after my second ultrasound at 8 weeks, I promised her (I felt it was a her, my little sweet pea) that if she held on, mama would make everything ok. She was a fighter and she could do this. With those words, I had no idea just how much of a fighter she would be.
With swishing of heartbeats, growing forms in my belly, and feelings of butterflies and bubbles as they started to move. Promises of what the future would hold.
Tickles, cuddles, giggles, and hours spent reading, rolling around, chasing, singing and years spent learning and growing together.
And then they came. And my world flipped on its axis. The fight at that very early delivery date had just begun. For me, for them, what our future would hold, what our present is. Promises made daily. The deepest faith in any promise I have ever made.
And those promises greet me daily with moments of joy, frustration, and exceptional moments in what would have formerly been a very ordinary day. The smell of a fresh shampoo on Q’s baby soft hair as he nestles in for storytime, the warmth of a little body perfectly cradled in mine, the pressure of E’s head on my shoulder as she finally learns to calm her body, the sound of her giggle just for me, the extraordinary firsts of E making her first real unaided crawl attempt just today, and the purity of a look that makes my heart explode and melts my body at the same time.
Each day, outloud, I promise them that I will love them no matter what and they promise back through looks and smiles and the warmth of a touch.
On this Mother’s Day, I promise that to my own mother, to my beloved grandmas, and to my minis. Love is hard. Being a mother is the hardest job in the world hands down. But yet, each day, as a mother we can wake full of promise that no matter what the day may bring and how hard things might be, we love.
With this promise, my life fills to the brim and with that I realize that Mother’s Day is every day. A promise to love and be loved every single day. Each day “MyNewFavoriteDay.”
Happy Mother’s Day to all of you, your moms, your minis and your special people whose promise of love makes each day ‘YourNewFavoriteDay.”
Featured image shared via Pinterest.
mynewfavoriteday 
Congrats E! Crawling means independence, mama! What a big step for her, and all of you!
Thanks so much Lisha. I can’t begin to tell you the way I felt in that moment. Yes, slowly but surely…she makes it happen!
Great post, Shannon. And keep up the hard work, E! How very exciting for you and her.
It’s difficult to be a steady beacon of love and support for our kids, but you seem to be doing it. Good job, mama.
Now, then. I think I’ll be sending a note to my mom. Thanks. 🙂
Thanks so much Chris. She just keeps all of us on track I tell you:) It is hard as you and Karin know, but we do it because that’s what we do.
Yes, do, she will love it and it will definately make today “hernewfavoriteday!”
A(bother) beautiful post! And the unaided crawl – so exciting! What a wonderful Mother’s Day gift.
Thanks Jules! Yes, it was the best gift I could have ever hoped for:) xo
Jut lovely! I adore the photos of the kids. And I hope you have a wonderful Mother’s Day and many more returns of the day.
Wow, I just skipped and went right to grandmother! 😉
Lol, happy mamas day to you my friend! You will be a wicked cool grandma, but alas you have some time my dear. See we all have a little nana in us! Xoxo
How wonderful and touching your post is, as always. Yes, the word motherhood is full of meaning in so many ways.
Thank you for your thoughts around being a mother regarding to what we learned from our mother and grandmother…I myself see a pattern in the life of my grandmother, my mother and my own life which I am very aware of and I try to consciously stop that to continue that pattern with my two sons..Taking the time for some reflection on Mother’s Day supports us in being a mindful and conscious mom to our little ones-
who do we want to be for our beloved children? Who do they need us to be?
I am so happy for you and E. that she started her first crawling attempt. That is so beautiful! Every single step (crawl) counts!!
I wish you a wonderful Mother’s Day with your minis. Enjoy!
I love this day, and every day, with respect to being called “Mommy”. I LOVED this post! Visit mine, too, Shannon, if you can. 🙂 I think it will bring you more smiles, as well, being another Mommy’s Day celebratory writing. Congratulations to little E for crawling, YAY!…The light from you and your mini’s shines bright. Much love and many hugs…XOXO-SWM
What a lovely mother you are, my friend!! And a loud WAHOO for Little E!!!! xoxo
Thanks doll!!!! It takes one to know one:)
It’s the best mothers day gift ever!:)
Happy Mother’s Day!
And to you Heather! Xo
Love our reflection on how motherhood connects us to past generations…and to futures too. Sometimes I wonder what kind of a mother my daughter will be. I hope she channels the energy of her grandmothers, great-grandmothers, and the other strong women before her who have learned these hard lessons. Happy Mother’s Day!
Thanks so much Sarah! Happy Mother’s Day to you too. If you have anything to do with it (which you do and will) then, she will definitely channel that energy and will be an amazing mama! xo
ღ˚ •。* ♥ ˚ ˚✰˚ ˛★* 。 ღ˛° 。* °♥ ˚ • ★ *˚ .ღ 。*˛˚ღ •˚ ˚…Sending sprinkles of Love to You: Happy Mother’s Day! ˚ ✰* ★˚. ★ *˛ ˚♥* ✰。˚ ˚ღ。* ˛˚ ♥ 。✰˚* ˚ ★ღ ˚ 。✰ •* ˚ ♥
Oh my goodness so beautiful. It is so true that being a mom makes us understand, appreciate, and cut our own mothers and grandmothers some slack. We’re all doing the best we can as did they.