The Journey of Motherhood

Once upon a time, some years ago, there was a little girl. This little girl loved to play, and read, and dream about what her life would be like when she was older and all grown up. She had many hopes and aspirations and the desire to be successful at whatever career path she would eventually choose. She had fleeting thoughts of being a mother, but it was never something she dwelt upon much. It seemed like something so far in the future; time felt so slow when she was young. She reasoned that she needed to experience life and have some adventures and triumphs before that day came. She thought the world expected more from her, and the world was very persuasive. The twists and turns of life constantly interrupted and changed the once clear and marked path she had been on. This girl was always a people pleaser, and once she struck out on her own and tried to find her own way, life got a little scarier and harder and the decisions weren't as easy as they once were. Did she know who she was any more? Did she like this new person she was becoming? What were her goals now? Where did she want to end up? What was her driving force in life? She felt lost and confused and unhappy and life continued that way for a while until one day she met someone, and they fell head over heals in love. Happiness ensued and then fate decided to take one more gigantic twist and change her course indefinitely. The day came when she finally realized that she had a purpose that was greater than she ever imagined for herself. She became a mother, and her hopes and aspirations and dreams all shifted and became hopes, aspirations, and dreams for her child and future children to come. Her life was forever changed, and her heart was grateful.


Everyone has their own stories and battle scars associated with being a mother. If anyone thinks it is easy, they have obviously never tried being one. It is the most challenging, humbling, scary, exhausting, mind boggling, heart wrenching, and difficult role to have. But it is also a more rewarding, fulfilling, joyful, fun, interesting, educational, and sacred experience than I could have ever imagined. It's like having pieces of your heart walking around outside of your body.

Someone once tried to make me feel belittled and embarrassed that I was "just" a mom. They tried to insult me that my life was boring and unimportant. Instead of feeling angry at this person, I just felt sad for them. If they could have only felt a little fraction of the joy and contentment I felt when I rocked my baby to sleep, or when I was the recipient of a tight little squeeze around the neck with chubby little arms, they might have had a different interpretation of what was important, and that there was nothing in the world that could have made me feel regretful that I was "just" a mom.

I feel a great responsibility on my shoulders to lead and guide my children and love them the best I can even on the bad days where I really need a nap, the house is a mess, I don't know what to cook for dinner, and there are 3 big baskets of laundry waiting to be folded so I can finish the other 10 loads still needing to be washed. Everyone has those days were you have to really dig deep and draw from your inner strength to get through the day and it is easy to become discouraged, but I am constantly surprised to find how much strength we as mothers possess when needed, and thankful for the knowledge that tomorrow is another day and we have the opportunity to start fresh again. I for one need my fair share of second chances.

The Journey of Motherhood for me has been life changing and everything I didn't know I wanted for myself. I truly believe there is a purpose and a reason for the things that happen to us; lessons are learned, loved ones are found, new adventures begin. I am far from perfect and find myself lacking in many qualities I would like to possess, but it is my hope that someday my children will have an assurity that they're mother prayed in thankfulness for them, treasured them, felt joy to be with them, and loved them with all of her heart.

To all the Mother's out there who are not "just" moms,

have a Happy Mother's Day.