Before I was a Mom

Apparently, all I can think about is the fact that my son is turning one soon.

It's true, it has consumed my thoughts for weeks now. Along with Thanksgiving, the arrival of a new niece and Big Boy's transition to a new room at school.

Life is busy and chaotic, and worthy of thanks.

I can't help but think back to the day before Thanksgiving last year. Before I was a mom.

It was the night that this almost-one-year-old I speak of decided to send me into labor....make his debut on Thanksgiving...and forever change our lives.

Before I was a Mom,
I never tripped over toys
or forgot words to a lullaby.
I didn’t worry whether or not
my plants were poisonous.
I never thought about immunizations.

Before I was a Mom,
I had never been puked on.
Pooped on.
Chewed on.
Peed on.
I had complete control of my mind
and my thoughts.
I slept all night.

 

Before I was a Mom,
I never held down a screaming child
so doctors could do tests.
Or give shots.

I never looked into teary eyes and cried.
I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin.
I never sat up late hours at night
watching a baby sleep.

Before I was a Mom,
I never held a sleeping baby just because
I didn’t want to put him down.
I never felt my heart break into a million pieces
when I couldn’t stop the hurt.
I never knew that something so small
could affect my life so much.
I never knew that I could love someone so much. I never knew I would love being a Mom.

Before I was a Mom,
I didn’t know the feeling of
having my heart outside my body.
I didn’t know how special it could feel
to feed a hungry baby.
I didn’t know that bond
between a mother and her child.
I didn’t know that something so small
could make me feel so important and happy.

Before I was a Mom,
I had never gotten up in the middle of the night
every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay.
I had never known the warmth,
the joy,
the love,
the heartache,
the wonderment
or the satisfaction of being a Mom.
I didn’t know I was capable of feeling so much,
before I was a Mom.

Wishing you and your family a Happy Thanksgiving!

Thank you to my mother-in-law for sending this to me. It touched me is so many ways.