Here’s a great piece from Lenetta, who has one sweet baby girl (who is trying to learn to walk!). Lenetta wrote this for…and about her mom.
Sometimes all you can do is love and pray. There frequently isn’t anything you can physically DO to alleviate the physical or emotional pain of someone you care about, but you can pray and you can love and you can walk with the one you love on their journey, for as long as they need you. And you can trail quietly behind when they think they don’t need you, just in case.
The birth of a child is meant to be a joyous occasion, and my daughter’s birth was, even though it didn’t happen at all like the natural birth that I’d planned. I ended up emotionally and physically drained, and to compound matters, I had quite a bit of anxiety about becoming a mother. Sure, I’d done my share of babysitting, but it was mostly older children. I’d changed my nieces’ diapers on occasion, but I’d never really been responsible for anything the way I was for this new being that God had entrusted to me.
Between my mother and my husband, I had around the clock help for nearly two weeks after my daughter’s birth. The hormone changes were like nothing I had ever experienced, and I found myself unable to sleep or nap even though I desperately needed it. My daughter had a spell most nights where she would fuss for about four hours. One particularly bad night, I knocked on my mom’s bedroom door at 3 AM, and handed her the baby. Of course, the little turkey went right to dreamland for Grandma.
My daughter has never been a particularly easy baby, and I’ve spent quite a bit of time on the phone with my mom, crying and wondering rhetorically how I can make things better. The truth is that there really isn’t much I can do beyond what I have done – feed her, keep her clean, safe, and warm. But most importantly, just as my mother has done for me over the past year, I can love her and I can pray. And I do.
Mom, thanks for walking with me as I’ve learned this lesson. While I hope my daughter has an easier time with her babies, I’m prepared to walk the same journey with her many years from now, praying and loving all the way.
I am SO enjoying everything you all are writing about the special women in your lives!
If you haven’t already (or even if you already have!)…be sure to read these great posts about women that people have written about on their own blogs!
~ Read what Char wrote about her sister-in-law Sarah.
~Check out this AMAZING story written by Kristy at Homemaker’s Cottage about her friend Katy.
~And while you’re over at Kristy’s….READ THIS!! She just delivered a baby TUESDAY (yesterday) at her home….and he’s beautiful!
~Here’s what Donna wrote about here “Spiritual Mother”.
~Read this touching poem written by Teresa.
~Here’s a tribute from Ariane to her mother.
Thanks everyone for sharing! There will be more to share tomorrow! And, I’m still up for others in any of the rest of you have anything to share!
WooHoo for Women!!
Brea in Texas says
Hi Laura! Thanks so much for stopping by my place; I love knowing who reads moi! I can’t wait to check your site out when I have a little more time. We also eat a pretty healthy diet (well, if you don’t count those bites of ice cream I sneak when the kids are in bed … Shhh!!), and I just love to cook good, hearty meals. You should check out some of my recipes when you have the time; other than the sweets, most are pretty good for you.
I look forward to reading more of you. :)
~Brea