Being a mother is one of the greatest treasures in life. The seasons of motherhood bring on so many avenues for loving a child starting from conception. The newness, admiration, responsibility and wonder that a child infiltrates into the heart of a mother is astounding. She waits with anticipation as the little one matures in the womb, cradled in safety from the world. 

After a what seems like an eternity, that precious child enters the world. So many tears, emotions and peaceful chaos surrounds those first moments and all is a blur as the mother and child meet for the first time face to face, eye to eye. Watching that tiny one, studying the features, counting the toes. Every moment counts….even with a zombie like sleeping pattern.

Years go by and the moments almost escape the mother's grasp as they try to hold on to their growing child. Each year brings its own trials, laughter, challenges. 

Then for many, that moment comes. The child grows into a beautiful adult and you see every moment from their first kick, first word, first step, first spelling bee, first car, first heartbreak... catapult into the present time where you give your child away. 

And then…just when you thought you'd never get another chance….for some…you start all over again. As Grandma. 

Life with children is a journey. A privilege. A sacrifice. But worth it. It may not look exactly like the pictures above. Motherhood to you may look like adoption, being a godmother, fostering children, getting to know your children later in life or maybe never having gotten the chance to watch them grow at all. The gift of life comes in so many forms and so many seasons. But one thing is for sure: it goes fast. So enjoy it and cherish it in every failure, doubt, worry, laugh, tear and kiss.

Happy Mother's Day!