Thanks Maggie!!

Sweet Maggie, Mamma of Alexandra sent me this Gracie photo. It reminds me of when Lilly our kitty gave Gracie a big hug around my belly and Gracie was kicking her, I could tell that she could feel her kick.

And

I found this poem at Rachel's blog: Three Butterflies and a Monkey and I love it!!!

Thoughts on Becoming a Mother


There are women that become mothers without effort,


without thought, without patience or loss and though


they are good mothers and love their children, I know


that I will be better.


I will not be better because of genetics, or money or that


I have read more books but because I have struggled and


toiled for this child. I have longed and waited. I


have cried and prayed. I have endured and planned over


and over again.


Like most things in life, the people who truly have


appreciation are those who have struggled to attain


their dreams. I will notice EVERYTHING about my child.


I will take time to watch my child sleep, explore and


discover. I will marvel at this miracle every day for the


rest of my life.


I will be happy when I wake in the middle of the night


to the sound of my child, knowing that I can comfort,


hold and feed him and that I am not waking to take


another temperature, pop another pill, take another


shot or cry tears of a broken dream. My dream will be


crying for me.


I count myself blessed in this sense; that God has


given me this insight, this special vision with which


I will look upon my child that my friends will not see.


Whether I parent a child I actually give birth to or a


child that God leads me to, I will not be careless with my love.


I will be a better mother for all that I have endured.


I am a better wife, a better aunt, a better daughter,


neighbor, friend and sister because I have known pain.


I know disillusionment as I have been betrayed by my


own body. I have been tried by fire and hell many


never face, yet given time, I stood tall.


I have prevailed. I have succeeded. I have won.


So now, when others hurt around me, I do not run from


their pain in order to save myself discomfort. I see


it, mourn it, and join them in theirs.


I listen.


And even though I cannot make it better, I can make it


less lonely. I have learned the immense power of


another hand holding tight to mine, of other eyes that


moisten as they learn to accept the harsh truth and


when life is beyond hard. I have learned a compassion


that only comes with walking in those shoes.


I have learned to appreciate life.


Yes I will be a wonderful mother.
-author unknown