Happy Mother's Day

Today is mother's day, and it makes me reflect on my own experience as a mother. I know many people who choose not to have children, but have animals instead. The animals, in a very real way, have become their surrogate children. I understand the love they have for the animals, and the enjoyment they get from them. But I wish I could give people a glimpse for how much more they would love their own children.

When I was young I did ALOT of babysitting. In fact, I think it would be fair to say that I got burned out on babysitting. I got to the point where I didn't really enjoy other people's kids, and even began to wonder if, when I eventually had my own, I would like them. This was a little bit of a fear in the back of my mind, but something told me not to worry. That "something" was right. We don't always feel the emotional connection to other people's kids, but nature ensures that we always feel that with our own.

Parenthood isn't always easy. The years spent raising my babies are a kind of blur in my mind. They are a mixture of memories of sleepless nights and endless rocking of fussy babies. But these memories also carry with them memories of cuddles and smiles, first words and steps, playing and learning.

Parenthood requires a strong heart to deal with the difficulties. But what parenthood gives you in return is a tender heart, and a life time of wonderful memories. Happy Mother's Day to you all!

How can you not love this?