5.11.2012

Mother's Day.....


Have you read Stephanie Nielson's book, Heaven is Here?

Despite being a huge fan of her blog and thinking I knew
all there was to know about her horrible plane crash and wonderful
family, I recently finished reading her book.  I couldn't
help myself, Stephanie's fight to survive to once again mother her children
was nothing short of inspiring.

I read Stephanie's book because, like her,
I too believe motherhood is my greatest blessing. 

 I distinctly remember that feeling of empowerment 
upon the birth of each
of my girls' along with the overwhelming sense of pure
love, love for someone and something I had never felt before.

As I reflect back on my first years as a mother, I am ashamed to admit
that I attributed my success as a parent to what I could 
accomplish - "look I can breast feed AND make dinner", "look I can
teach her to walk", "look, she is completely potty trained by age 3" etc.....
I was fulfilled and selfishly proud of how timely and 
efficiently I could meet
my baby's and toddler's each and every need
{on most good days, anyway}.
Perhaps the remnants of the 'career woman' in me defined
success as a completed to-do list?  Nonetheless,
I was feeling pretty proud of myself - {barf!}.

As my girls are getting older, my perspective and outlook
has changed dramatically.  Parenting and it's purpose has shifted.
And to some extent, the stakes are higher.
Not only am I charged with these two innocent beings survival,
I am charged with helping them to become the very best version
of who they are meant to be. Of course, I knew
this responsibility way back when they were born but
in some way I thought, "oh there is plenty of time for that
stuff, right now I have diapers to change!"

My daily thoughts now seem to be consumed with how best to
raise kind, respectful, loving, faithful, moral, intelligent,
creative, wisdom-seeking, curious, fun-loving, sensitive,
strong, polite, spiritual, thoughtful, smart, passionate children.
{Although on many days, I just want them to
be children that clean their rooms, 
pick up their socks
and perhaps put their dishes in the dishwasher - 
am I really asking too much?}

{the two beauties who MADE me a mother}

When in the moments the responsibility becomes almost
overwhelming, I remember the fabulous examples of fine women I
was raised by, and the friends who I try to surround 

myself with{heeeeeyyy, Radish girls!}.  Knowing that
the behavior and example I model is most likely the strongest
influencer in the raising of my girls' is something I am
very mindful of, each and every day.  Am I perfect? No!


But on this Mother's Day, I can say this.
I have two amazing daughters who make me exceedingly
proud to be their mother.  I genuinely like love hanging 

out with each of them. I am grateful for them
each and every day - because ultimately, they
have made me become the very best version
of who I was to be, a mother.

Happy Mother's Day to my mom, we will see you Saturday!

Happy Mother's Day to all of you!

6 comments on "Mother's Day....."
  1. Love this post Jill! Perfectly said! Happy mothers day to you!
    Meg

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  2. A beautiful post! Thank you ever so much for sharing. Happy Mothers Day to you. Cheers SpecialK XoXo

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  3. beautiful! xoxo, can't wait to see you!

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  4. Happy Mother's Day sweet friend! You are truly one of the best! I hope those girls (and their daddy) spoil you rotten! Enjoy!
    Allie

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  5. *Sniff* Happy Mother's Day Friend!

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  6. ohhhh what a lovely sentiment! xo

    www.NorthernCottage.net

    ReplyDelete

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