Monday, May 11, 2009

Mothers Day

Mothers day was very nice. The first one that hasn't been spent in hospital in a while. The snow was gone and it turned into a beautiful day. I got to sleep in and Brad and the kids brought me breakfast in bed, which was thoroughly enjoyed. After church we went for ice cream, and then had a lazy afternoon, just enjoying being together. A good day...a day of reflection...

Sometimes I find myself getting so caught up in the "doing" for the kids...bedtimes, meals, appointments, homework, the neverending medical "stuff"...it's easy to forget just "being". Yesterday was a good reminder to just "be" and enjoy living...for all too soon these days will be gone. Despite the craziness of these times, these really are the days of making memories. I want to be able to look back on these days and remember the good times...the giggles as we push Noah on the swing, the pure joy as Joshua presents his handmade gift, the neverending chatter as Kailyn tells a story. How I love them all!

This motherhood thing is not an easy road...any mother who has had to watch their child suffer knows this. It tears you up, shatters your dreams, and breaks your heart a million times over. But none of that compares to the blessings...the love and joy...the fullness that comes with being a mom.


A few people emailed me the same poem yesterday, all highlighting the same part! It's a poem I've heard many times over, but this particular verse hits home...

"...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..."

6 comments:

laura.h said...

Thanks for your reflections Nichole. I totally understand the struggle to just sit still and enjoy our kids. Quiet times and rainy afternoons are great. I find myself enjoying things more and being more sentimental lately about the kids and Killarney, just because we don't know if we'll get to spend another summer in this country.
You're such a great mom, and I have to say you are doing a really great job. I can't quite grasp how difficult it must be to mother a child with a disability. I work with adults with disabilities and let me tell you there are days I want to scream and run away!!!
I just wanted you to know that I really admire the job you're doing and the person you are becoming and I really love your kids too!!
Laura

Kim said...

Nichole
I love how you can gently remind me to be more present in the here and now. Thanks for your reflections. You are an awesome mom and friend. I'm glad you enjoyed your day and am quite jealous of your ice cream lunch!

Anonymous said...

Nichole, that has been my prayer, that you could enjoy the blessings of the moment. You are an amazing mom, I spent a lot of time on Sunday as well, reflecting on God's goodness in our fmailies lives. To feel so blessed, knowing that God has done so many amazing things in my life. We pray that you will have many more days of reflection this summer, and that Noah will be well for a long time. Love you...mom

Anonymous said...

Nichole,
Thanks for this reminder - so good for me to hear. Getting caught up in the "doing" ... I can sure identify with that. Kids grow up so fast - I also need to be constantly reminded to enjoy just being with them. So, thank you, and I hope you're having a great week.
Heather

Jules and Danny said...

So very true! It is just wonderful that you were able to relax and share Mother's Day at home with all of your angels close and being loved... giving love back!
j

Amber Greenawalt said...

Hope you had a wonderful Mother's Day Nichole...you certainly are one of my heroes and an inspiration to lots of us Moms!