Tomorrow is Mother's Day. What a day! So many emotions come up with it. I think back to three years ago. It was painful. I didn't think I would ever have a child of my own. I wanted to celebrate for everyone else, but it was bittersweet. A little smiled curled on my lips. That was it. That was all I could do. I celebrated my mother.
Two years ago, I was pregnant. Who knew it would happen? I savored everyday of that pregnancy. I felt like it too so long to become pregnant that I needed to enjoy every moment- good or bad. I felt warm inside when I opened a mother's day card that was addressed to me from a friend. It was incredible.
Last year, I celebrated Mother's Day for the first time. I had a 9 month-old of my own on Mother's Day! I felt happy. I felt OLD. I was a mama. That was just one day though. What is it to be a mom?
Tonight, I listened to my almost 21 month-old daughter giggle banter about the different things that she could lick, and found myself totally engrossed and happy to be that way. I didn't care to do anything else in the world. I gave her a bath, got her ready for bed, and I snuggled up next to her reading "The Pokey Puppy."
The book creaked as I opened its pages. It was brand new- had never been read before. I felt so peaceful there remembering reading a 29 year-old edition of that book as a child. Who had I read it with? My mom? My dad? A brother or sister? I remember its old, musty pages. I remember the illustrations. Listening to my daughter giggle at the puppy and yell "strawberry" at the berry the puppy sniffed in the book melted my heart. At any given moment, she could have lifted her water cup and cracked me in the head with it, as she did on so many occasions. I didn't care.
All I know is that I love all of these tiny little moments, recollections, and connections that appear out-of-the-blue every day of my daughter's existence. They are perfect little treats in our busy day-to-day lives. I love them, I love her, and I look forward to more tomorrow.
To my mother, I love you! You are with me in everything I do with her, my own daughter. Happy Mother's Day, Mom!
