Greetings friends! For some time now I’ve had the desire to begin a blog series entitled ‘What Motherhood Means to Me’, featuring mothers from varying perspectives and walks of life. From the pregnant mom to the mom who is holding onto faith for her own pregnancy or adoption. The mom who is content with one child to the mom of multiples. Working moms, stay at home moms, moms to teenagers and toddlers alike. And everything in between! You name it, we’ve got it!
My prayer in this is that there will be something for everyone to relate to, and that even in our differences we might find the common thread that binds us as women and as moms. I hope that in doing so, celebration, not competition will rule the day, and I’m thrilled that you all are along for the ride!
To kick things off we have some very special thoughts from a pregnant mom about Mother’s Day…
Hi, friends of Patricia! I hope by the end of this we’ll be friends, too. The name’s Raven and I’m so excited to share a bit of my heart with you. I’m a mom who has yet to hold her child.…At least in her arms. My husband and I are currently expecting our first child – a boy we’re naming Legend. He’ll be entering the world by the first week of June and we’re so excited!
The excitement is two-fold. I’ve been daydreaming about this little boy for almost 8 months (but it currently seems like the last 58 years), and I’m ready to meet him! I want to hold him in my arms. I want to have late night conversations with him, knowing he’ll have no idea what I’m saying, but that’s okay. I want to kiss his face and dress him in ridiculously cute outfits and gush over every little thing he does. And… I’m really ready to not be pregnant anymore.
As beautiful as the process of growing a human is, it’s exhausting. I’ve reached the point where the view of my feet is a distant memory (but I’m very aware that they’re there – considering how swollen they’ve become.) Carrying a 6lb, very demanding human is not for the faint of heart. Pregnancy has been one of the greatest blessings in my life and I’m so thankful for the gift of motherhood… but it is one of the most physically challenging and trying exeriences a woman can go through. As much as I love being pregnant and carrying our child – I’ll love carrying him in my arms a whole lot more.
As Mother’s Day approaches, I haven’t given it a ton of thought as I’ve never needed to until the day before… like everyone else, when we all rush out to buy our moms cards and gifts.
As it gets closer to the day, I’ve had so many people ask me:
“Are you so excited for Mother’s Day?”
“Any big plans for Mother’s Day?”
“Are you looking forward to Mother’s Day?”
And I almost immediately think of my mom and I quickly wonder if there’s a big party being thrown for her by my sisters that I’m unaware of.
And then it hits me…
Oh. They’re asking me what I’M doing for Mother’s Day… I’m a MOM.
To be honest, it hasn’t fully hit me yet. In a little over a month, another human being will be calling me “Mom” for the rest of my days.
I think our culture has gotten into a habit of viewing pregnancy as a journey – rather than a destination. The common viewpoint is that when you’re pregnant you’re on your way to motherhood – but you haven’t fully arrived. Up until very, VERY recently… I’ve referred to myself as a “mom-to-be.”
But I’ll no longer call myself that and here’s why:
I’m a MOM. And, man, does that feel good to say.
I haven’t heard Legend’s cry yet.
I haven’t rocked him gently to sleep.
I haven’t changed his diaper.
I have yet to teach him his ABC’s or how to tie his shoes.
I’m awaiting the day that I have to take him for his driver’s test – and that day can take its sweet time.
But I’ve carried him for almost 8 months.
I’ve felt him gently kick and move inside of me.
I’ve prayed over him and I’ve cried over the realization of how deeply I already love him.
I’ve chosen to forego certain foods and activities that normally I would go for without a single thought – because Legend is at the center of my every thought.
His well-being has become the most important aspect of my life.
His safety and health and happiness is the desire of my heart.
The kid has my whole heart and we’ve never even met face-to-face.
And that’s why I have every intention of high-fiving myself on Mother’s Day and saying “thank you” to strangers who wish me well on the holiday.
Expecting moms are MOMS. Their child needs them to carry them and keep them safe until they’re ready to enter this crazy world. Pregnancy isn’t a just a journey… as soon as you see those pink lines, you are a MOM to a precious creation of God. So, whether you’ve been a mom for 15 years or for 15 weeks – Happy Mother’s Day! Motherhood is one of the most beautiful gifts and we each should feel celebrated and loved on Mother’s Day – no matter what stage of motherhood we find ourselves in.
Until Raven launches her site, (she’s a little busy baking a human
), you can find her on Instagram sharing more of her beautiful thoughts and photos!
*This series will be found under ‘Guest Posts’. Be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss a single one!*
