It's amazing what you think about in the middle of the night as you're consoling a crying child.
Ann Catherine has a bit of a cold and last night, she woke herself up coughing. When she wakes up like that in the middle of night, she becomes very upset because she's so tired. And when that happens, she just cries, saying over and over, "Mommy, mommy, mommy."
I went to her room, put my arms around her and just kept saying, "Mommy's here, mommy's here. It's okay, Ann Catherine."
At that moment, I was so sleepy and was thinking, "Baby, please go back to sleep. Mommy's tired."
And then it occurred to me.
As hard as those middle of the night "breakdowns" are, we as mothers are so lucky. Who do our children call for when they are upset?
Mommy.
Who do they call for when they are sick?
Mommy.
Who do they call for when they are scared?
Mommy.
Do you know what a gift that is?
As I stood there, rubbing her back last night, I realized that this is a gift given exclusively to mothers.
It means that there is someone in this world, who truly NEEDS us. Who DEPENDS on us. Who thinks we can make EVERYTHING better.
Being a mom is so tiring. In fact, it's downright exhausting. Right now, having two children under the age of two, I wonder sometimes 'Will I EVER get a full night's rest again?'
But what I get in return is so worth it. There are two little people in this world who are completely unaware of all of my many faults. Completely unaware how woefully inadequate I really am. Completely unaware that I have so many limitations.
I am just Mommy to them. In their eyes, I can do anything.
What a beautiful reminder just in time for Mother's Day.
It makes all those nights without sleep worth it.
2 comments:
Aww. Make me cry why don't you! That's so sweet and so true.
BTW: I heard a cough rememdy just this morning. You're supposed to rub a generous amount of Vick's Vapo Rub on the bottom of her feet and cover with socks. Sounds weird, but tons of people swore to me that it works! Thought you might want to try it if you get desperate. Hope Ann Catherine feels better and you get a great night's sleep soon! Happy (almost) Mother's day!
That was so sweet, it's amazing what mothers must do for their children, those long days happen but the love makes it all worth it. I wish Anne Catherine well; prayer and TLC are my only remedies, to me when they say they “need” you is often times more than just a cry, they lack and only a mother can know how to supply.
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