I don’t pay attention to chain mails forwarded to me, but I thought this was worth sharing. ____________________________________________________________ Before I was a Mom I made and ate hot meals. I had unstained clothing. I had quiet conversations on the phone. <?xml:namespace prefix = v ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" /><v:shapetype id=_x0000_t75 stroked="f" filled="f" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" oreferrelative="t" o:spt="75" coordsize="21600,21600"><v:stroke joinstyle="miter"></v:stroke><v:formulas><v:f eqn="if lineDrawn pixelLineWidth 0"></v:f><v:f eqn="sum @0 1 0"></v:f><v:f eqn="sum 0 0 @1"></v:f><v:f eqn="prod @2 1 2"></v:f><v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelWidth"></v:f><v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelHeight"></v:f><v:f eqn="sum @0 0 1"></v:f><v:f eqn="prod @6 1 2"></v:f><v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelWidth"></v:f><v:f eqn="sum @8 21600 0"></v:f><v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelHeight"></v:f><v:f eqn="sum @10 21600 0"></v:f></v:formulas><vath o:connecttype="rect" gradientshapeok="t" o:extrusionok="f"></vath><o:lock aspectratio="t" v:ext="edit"></o:lock></v:shapetype><v:shape id=_x0000_i1025 style="WIDTH: 82.5pt; HEIGHT: 96pt" alt="" type="#_x0000_t75"><v:imagedata o:href="http://www.llerrah.com/images/mother9.jpg" src="file:///C:\Temp\msohtml1\01\clip_image001.jpg"></v:imagedata></v:shape>I slept as late as I wanted And never worried about how late I got into bed. I brushed my hair and my teeth everyday. I cleaned my house each day. I never tripped over toys or learned words to lullabies. <v:shape id=_x0000_i1026 style="WIDTH: 76.5pt; HEIGHT: 96pt" alt="" type="#_x0000_t75"><v:imagedata o:href="http://www.llerrah.com/images/mother10.jpg" src="file:///C:\Temp\msohtml1\01\clip_image002.jpg"></v:imagedata></v:shape>I didn't worry whether my plants were poisonous. I never thought about immunizations. I had never been puked on, pooped on, Spit on, chewed on, peed on, Or pinched by tiny fingers I had complete control of My thoughts, my body, and my mind. I slept all night. <v:shape id=_x0000_i1027 style="WIDTH: 128.25pt; HEIGHT: 90pt" alt="" type="#_x0000_t75"><v:imagedata o:href="http://www.llerrah.com/images/mother3.jpg" src="file:///C:\Temp\msohtml1\01\clip_image003.jpg"></v:imagedata></v:shape> I never held down a screaming child So that doctors could do tests Or give shots. I never looked into teary eyes and cried. I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin. I never sat up late hours at night watching a baby sleep. <v:shape id=_x0000_i1028 style="WIDTH: 96pt; HEIGHT: 81pt" alt="" type="#_x0000_t75"><v:imagedata o:href="http://www.llerrah.com/images/mother2.jpg" src="file:///C:\Temp\msohtml1\01\clip_image005.jpg"></v:imagedata></v:shape> I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn't want to put it down. I never felt my heart break into a million pieces When I couldn't stop the hurt. I never knew that something so small Could affect my life so much. I never knew that I could love someone so much. I never knew I would love being a Mom. <v:shape id=_x0000_i1029 style="WIDTH: 107.25pt; HEIGHT: 128.25pt" alt="" type="#_x0000_t75"><v:imagedata o:href="http://www.llerrah.com/images/mother11.jpg" src="file:///C:\Temp\msohtml1\01\clip_image006.jpg"></v:imagedata></v:shape> I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body. I didn't know how special it could feel to feed a hungry baby. I didn't know that bond between a Mother and her child. I had never gotten up in the middle of the night Every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay I had never known the warmth, the joy, the love, The heartache, the wonder, Or the satisfaction of being a Mom. Written By Marie Garrett for her son Matthew <v:shape id=_x0000_i1030 style="WIDTH: 96pt; HEIGHT: 66.75pt" alt="" type="#_x0000_t75"><v:imagedata o:href="http://www.llerrah.com/images/mother4.jpg" src="file:///C:\Temp\msohtml1\01\clip_image008.jpg"></v:imagedata></v:shape> Now I Know How You Felt! I Love You Mom!<v:shape id=_x0000_i1031 style="WIDTH: 150pt; HEIGHT: 150pt" alt="" type="#_x0000_t75"><v:imagedata o:href="http://www.llerrah.com/images/mothers_day_lg_nwm.gif" src="file:///C:\Temp\msohtml1\01\clip_image009.gif"></v:imagedata></v:shape> And before I was a Grandma, I didn't know that all those "Mom" feelings more than doubled when you see that little bundle being held by "your baby"... (reminds me of a telugu saying “asalu kanna vaddi priyam” ‘Interest is more precious than principal’) Send this to someone who you think is a special Mom or Grandma. I just did.
Yes Blondie, A lovely poem, beautiful words. Thanks. I will forward it to my daughter. It is soothing. I am grandma too and the Telugu words are apt L, Kamla
That was beautiful!! I don't have words to say anything else...... Thanks for posting! Cheers! Ragini.
Blondie, Very beautiful poem. My kids are 10 and 6 now, I think I kind of miss the puked on, peed on, spit on.... phase of my babies. I still trip over toys, my house is always not clean too..but I dont fret it at all. Jothi.
hey that is just wonderful i'm not a mom yet but i can still understand how it is goin to be... difficult yet enjoyable thanks ~Abha
so nice to see that my life is not "strange". Sometimes i find myself thinking "how do the other wemen i see walking in the street so well dressed and so manage?" I left my job and i still can't manage all. I just can't belive it! And i wasn't told it would be like this. But... how strange! I enjoy it! I have shoes, dresses and make up i don't use because i don't have the time but i have smiles, and goals and dreams of future. Thanks for this moment