Mother's Day

I'm still not used to the fact that I'm someone's mother.  When Jeff came home the other day and said that he'd bought something for Mother's Day, I thought that he'd gotten my mum something.  

Every mother no doubt says that mothering her child is the most amazing gift.  But I'm convinced that Jeff and I have the most incredible, brilliant, quirky, funny child.  We're constantly amazed at his discoveries and his rapid learning abilities.  But it's a special thing to be someone's mother.  The idea that you grew this child... how does that happen?  This little person did not exist before, but he now exists because of you.  It's an awe-inspiring fact.  I always anticipated that the responsibility I would feel for Jack's health and safety would be overwhelming.  But, while overpowering, I find that it comes more naturally than I realized, and it's less of a "burden", and more of an instinctual thing.  

Everyday, I become more comfortable in the role of mother, whether I'm playing with Jack, teaching him something, soothing him, or watching him gain independence.  That, for me, has been one of the more difficult aspects of child-rearing.  My first instinct is to help Jack in whatever way I can, though it's doing more harm than good by not teaching him how to do things for himself.  This step towards independence is critical, yet so challenging after spending a full year being solely responsible for everything that happened to him.  I'm learning, though, and as I wrap up my second Mother's Day, I'm grateful that we've been blessed with such an astounding and extraordinary son.