Mother's Day

Being a mother is such an awesome gift. Every time I get a tight squeeze from their tiny little arms my heart melts. One flash of their crooked grins makes me smile. The sparkle in their bright blue eyes makes me happy. Their giggles are music to my ears. Every sticky sweaty kiss I treasure.

Motherhood is a gift I almost missed.

I used to think being pregnant made you a mother. Now I think differently. Some people who become pregnant are clearly not mothers. Some of the best mothers have never carried a child in their own womb.

Motherhood is something that occurs in a special moment where you realize "Wow. This child is MINE."  Maybe it's that first kick. Or that first cry. Or looking into those big blue eyes. Or signing the papers. And somewhere deep down in your heart you vow to yourself to protect them and nurture them for as long as you live.

Every Mother's Day I look at my two beautiful boys and wonder how different my life would have been without them. This would be a terribly sad day of mourning all those hugs, grins, giggles, and sticky sweaty kisses lost instead of a joyous day of celebrating.

So every Mother's Day I say a little prayer for the mothers of all the angel babies out there. Whether by accident or choice, it can't be an easy day. It makes me cry just to imagine how bad my heart would ache to see and hold my boys if I never had the chance to watch them grow. And it makes me all the more grateful for each and every precious moment with them.