For All of The Moms

Before I Was A Mom

Before I was a Mom
I made and ate hot meals.
I had unstained clothing.
I had quiet, leisurely phone calls.

Before I was a Mom
I slept in as long as I wanted and never worried
about how late I got into bed.
I brushed my hair and my teeth every day.

Before I was a Mom
The hallways were free of obstacles.
I never tripped over toys or forgot words to lullabies.

Before I was a Mom
I had a vivid social life.
I never thought about babysitters or wondered how long
formula could stay fresh in the refrigerator.

I had never been
puked on
pooped on
spit on
sneezed on
chewed on
peed on
or pinched by tiny fingers.

Before I was a Mom
I slept all night.

Before I was a Mom...

Before I was a Mom
I never looked into teary eyes and cried.
I never got gloriously happy
over a simple grin.
I never sat up late watching a baby sleep.

Before I was a Mom
I never held a sleeping baby just because
I didn't want to put him down.
I never felt my heart break into a million pieces
when I couldn't stop the hurt.
I never knew something so small
could affect my life so much.
I never knew that I could feel how much
someone needed and loved me
without them saying a word.
I never knew that I could love someone
so much.
I never knew I would love being a mom.

Before I was a Mom
I didn't know what it felt like having my
heart outside of my body.
I didn't know how special it would feel
to feed a hungry baby.
I didn't know how it would melt my heart
to have someone look at me and utter the word "mama" for the first time.
I didn't know what it felt like to have a baby
fall asleep in my arms.
I didn't know the bond a mother feels to her child.
I didn't know that something so small
could make me feel so special.

Before I was a Mom
I had never gotten up in the middle of the night
every ten minutes just to make sure
everything was ok.
I had never known
the warmth
the joy
the love
the heartache
the wonderment
the satisfaction
of being a Mom.
I didn't know I was capable
of feeling so much
Before I was a Mom.

(Happy Mother's Day! More on our day to come!)