I’m the Mom
I wasn’t born a mother,
like my children think.
Once,
not long ago,
I was a child, too.
I hung my head off the couch
and looked at the world
upside down,
lost myself in play,
picked at meals set in front of me,
whined because my favorite dress
was still in the laundry.
Now, small faces look to me
for protection,
comfort, sustenance
assuming I can provide it all.
I worry I’m doing it wrong,
that they’re not having
a good childhood,
or that I’ll lose myself completely
in this process.
But the bottom line is-
they need me to be the mom.
There are no other options.
So everyday, I get up
and do the best I can.
Sometimes it flows from me
like honey,
sometimes it feels
like a thousand bees
swarming.
That’s all.
No natural ability, no formula.
I just look at those beautiful faces
trusting
that I was born this way
and I know
I have to become
what they believe
I am.
By Maria Brady-Smith
From-Becoming: Mothering Poems
Photo by Mike Smith
Happy Sunday morning! This is an old one, written about 28+ years ago. I am sending this out to all the young mothers I know. You are doing such vital work. Every single day, you are creating the future. What could possibly be more important than that?
If you know a young mother, please share this poem with her and let her know that she is doing a great job. Most of her work happens when no one is paying attention. Maybe today would be a good day to tell her she is amazing!
Aimee posted this on Facebook and I shared it for its truth. Many years ago I wrote a little lullaby with one line that went, “But I’m just me, That you’ll soon see, so hush bye baby blue.” =:-)
Aw, sweet. I remember when I realized that my mom was a person besides just being my mom, that she had a whole history that happened before I was born!Thanks for sharing!
xoxoxoxoox