Guest Author - Paula Petrie

Mothers have an enviable lot. Surrounded by the love and laughter of children. Adored and respected, observed and admired. Selflessly we provide warmth and sustenance for the bodies and minds of our charges. But...

Stuck home mommy can feel like she can’t construct an intelligent sentence and the noise level in her home seems to have permanently disrupted her normal brain activity. Her clothes sometimes feel like they are two many style seasons behind. And the constant tug of emotional neediness is so oppressive, sometimes, she fears she may implode. There are days that guilt and growth are all she knows.

Fear not dearest mom, you are gaining in humility and insight. You are grounding in enviable strengths that will protect and guide you through this complicated world. The gift of giving to a child really is a gift to you.

Work grind mommy can feel like she’s doing the impossible for the ungrateful. Far past exhausted, she sometimes feels incapable of maintaining the facade. She dreams about the wonderful things she would do with her family if she had the energy. She fanaticizes about getting away, quitting her job, and reconstructing her life. She succumbs to guilt as she curses her lack of patience and barely notices another dream fade as her focus gets lost in daily chores.

Fear not brave mom, you are providing more security than financial. You give more than words. The strengths you have learned are freely given and the love shared with your child is enough and everything.

Grandma often feels overlooked. Years have brought perspective to this mom as she watches the world change in the heart of her grandchild. She rejoices in the new and teaches the old. With wisdom and experience she offers a hand and a heart to those around her.

Fear not precious mom, time has freed you from the bonds of emotion. Lucky are those astute enough to see the glowing gem you have become.

Our hearts are filled with desires and wishes for our children. We work to keep the silent promises made to them. We watch in horror as the words in our mouths and the actions of our hands are not always the ones we intend. Through suffering and misunderstanding, frustration and compromise, we return to gentleness and compassion, fun and laughter, over and over again. No grudges or emptiness but renewed with strength and power from the love of a child.