on mother's day

This morning I woke to the sound of my 22 month-old singing the sweetest song from his crib. I don’t know what little tune he was singing, but I am sure it was a special mother’s day song. Not long after, my (nearly) 4 year-old came in and gave me a big hug, while my 22 month-old climbed into bed with me for a morning snuggle.

I honestly can’t imagine not being a mom. From the age of carrying around dolls and turning my primary-school-aged birthday parties into baby showers, my deepest desire was to be a mom. On June 22, 2006 this dream became a beautiful reality with the birth of my first son, Boyd Allan Hamilton. Two years later, Wyatt Taylor Hamilton was born and my life became all that much sweeter!

Until I became a mom I didn’t realize the depth of love, or the sacrifices and challenges motherhood brings. My admiration and appreciation of my own mom deepened and I (humbly) realized how much I took my own mother’s years of devotion for granted. Whose touch and presence did I seek most when I was sick? Who took me to music classes, taught me the art of cooking and cultivated my appreciation for gardening? Who taught me that contentment comes from seeing the beauty around you and not striving for what you don’t have?

Motherhood is one of the most powerful miracles of life. The pure joy a woman feels when she learns she is pregnant, and the complete awe of childbirth (as a birth doula, I have never escaped the tears that come to my eyes or the lump in my throat from watching a new baby come into this world). A mother’s heart can fall instantly in love with her new little babe; and she would give her life for this little person without a second thought.

Today is mother’s day and I am so thankful for the mother’s in my life and to my husband and my own boys for making my dream come true. May all mothers have a blessed day, and may the beauty you have brought to this world be lavished upon you!