My Dearest Daughter,
Happy Mother’s Day.
I hope your children have brought you as much joy as you’ve
given me.
I know I’ve not been a perfect mother but I’m the one who
has loved you more than anyone and I have loved you in my own way.
You see, I don’t think I was born with as many “mother”
genes as some women. When I was younger
my friends would be drawn to babies like magnets. I was fine just to take a look and be
done. I certainly didn’t want to hold a
baby. It just looked so fragile…and a
bit messy and whiney. I was much more
comfortable holding a kitten or a puppy.
When I got married I knew I wanted a baby. I was just scared to have a baby. First of all there’s the nine months of
gestation. Next is the labor process
with all the pain. Finally, you have to rear
the baby, a fragile little human being that would totally depend on me for
quite some time. Was I capable of doing all
that?
So after five years of marriage we decided we were ready for
a baby. That didn’t stop me from being
fearful and nervous though.
After fertility drugs and two miscarriages, we finally had
you on the way.
The first three months I vomited. I vomited so much and so hard I busted blood
vessels in my eyes. The next three
months I ate. I would bring my lunch to
work and end up eating it for breakfast and then go buy me another lunch. The final three months I swelled. I think I
had one pair of shoes I could get on my feet.
Then it was time. After
a routine visit, the doctor scheduled me to come to the hospital the next
morning. I think a full afternoon of
serious cleaning put me on into labor.
We headed on to the hospital that night.
I was very nervous. After a long
night and a required c-section that morning, you were here. You were beautiful. Beautiful.
I checked your little toes and they were perfect. I was a mom.
My life changed forever.
I kept waiting for all of those mother genes to kick
in. I literally shook with nerves when I
gave you your first bath in your little bath tub. Everything soon got a bit easier.
The one mother gene that stood out was protection. I don’t know if it’s because it was so hard
getting you here or what but I watched over you constantly and made sure you
were comfortable and safe. I think I
woke up every hour of every night and got up to look and make sure you were breathing
as you slept.
I watched you learn and grow and become more beautiful. I was happy when you were happy and I hurt
when you hurt. But we made it.
The next thing I know, I’m with you at the hospital as you
have your own children. Your babies are
beautiful. And I know your life has been changed forever. And mine changed again because I became a
grandmother.
So even though I don’t say it nearly enough, I love
you. I am very proud of the wife and
mother you have become. Tell your children
you love them every day. Make sure they
hear it often. Teach them to be kind and
respectful to everyone. Take them to
church. Set good examples for them to
follow. And most importantly, take them
to visit their grandparents often.
I hope this is the best Mother’s Day you’ve ever had.
Always and forever,
With love,
Mom.
