“Wherever you are, that’s where my heart will be.” -“Boat Song” by JJ Heller
On this Mother’s Day, I can’t help but feel especially lucky and grateful that I am a mom. It’s an honor, a privilege, a great responsibility, and a feeling unlike any other.
The moment I became a mom, my heart instantly belonged to her, my baby girl, my sweets, my boo, my Mackenzie. Just watching my heart take shape in the form of a child is an amazing gift from God. It’s what makes being a mom so special and so rewarding.
Being a mom has changed and challenged me in so many ways.
It’s taught me the true meaning of sacrifice and selflessness.
It’s shown me that I don’t always have control and that letting go means letting her be a kid, make mistakes and learn how to get back up, and give her confidence in herself.
It’s changed my perspective. Decisions I make are through the lens of, “How will this impact her? or How will this affect my little family unit?”
It’s challenged my patience and my emotions in so many ways. Some days I feel like I’m winning, and other days, I feel like I lost my cool one too many times.
It’s made me accept that my home, for the time being, will perpetually be cluttered with toys despite all attempts at tidying up and organizing, and that’s okay…it’s only a season.
It’s created a strong woman that I never knew existed…one that can carry the mental and emotional load, one that can still somehow function at work after middle-of-the-night wake-up calls, one that can multitask like a boss, one that manages to keep her calm after a face plant or head bump even though she’s scared as heck (just so her kid doesn’t get even more scared), one that can (most days) be a good mom, wife, co-worker, sister, daughter, and friend.
It’s taught me that it’s okay to be vulnerable and not always have it together. I’m doing my best. I’m allowed a bad day here and there.
It’s kept me young(ish). All the running around, coloring, painting, building, singing, reading, and playing childhood games…takes a lot of energy!
But most (and best) of all, it’s shown me the beauty of unconditional, all-consuming love. My heart belongs to her. Wherever she goes, my heart will follow.
Once again you made me cry. So enjoy your perspective.