As the mother-to-be opens her gifts, Nia reflects on some of the priceless learnings motherhood gifted them. “Patience, empathy, compassion, kindness… leadership.”
“Ahhhhhnd!” Thalia chirps, “We gahhhhh-t to read all of those wihhhhz-dum filled stories with the kihhhhd!”
“Being a mom taught us…” Calliope licks buttercream and confetti cake from her fork, “how to love with a pure heart.”
Motherhood is a choice you make every day, to put someone else’s happiness and well-being ahead of your own, to teach the hard lessons, to do the right thing even when you’re not sure what the right thing is… and to forgive yourself, over and over again, for doing everything wrong.
~Donna Ball: At Home on Ladybug Farm
A note from LoveLetterist:
On Sunday, I went to a baby shower. (The cake was sooo grand!)
On Monday, Jay Armstrong and I interviewed Cathy Shields for an upcoming One Line, One Love podcast.
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=cathy+shields+shape+of+normal&crid=3FQYBYIN87A44&sprefix=cathy+shields%2Caps%2C110&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-doa-p_2_13
The combination of those experiences has me reflecting on the opportunity parenthood gives us to learn and grow into our best selves -- while giving ourselves grace for the missteps and tumbles.
Wonderful, LoveLetterist!
I claim no direct experience as a mother. As a father? Yes. I read with my son. When I returned from work I remember starting a record (that long ago!) and placing Nate on my chest as I sunk into a poofy beanbag! Nate attributes his love for classic rock to that early stage of his life. 😊
I didn’t have a womb in which I carried him pre-birth. I did buy a Snugli for strapping him to my chest for hands free transport. Later I purchased a slightly different device that strapped to my arms/back and allowed me to bring him with me for mountain trail tromping. Sweet memories all.
None of the preceding remarks are intended to say, “Same.” An experimental psychologist named Harlow studied the impact of touch on young Rhesus? monkeys. Surprise! Contact, even being able to touch soft, furry material, was vital for overall health and intellectual development. The ones deprived of that contact exhibited a host of developmental disabilities. 😔
Loving kindness is effort well spent both for newborns and grownups. Followed closely by buttercream frosting…