It goes without saying that once you become a mother, your entire world changes. Your perspective on life changes, your views on right and wrong change, your priorities change. There are times when you welcome those changes, basking in the glow of motherhood, thankful for the opportunity to raise caring, compassionate little people who will contribute to society.
And then the times when you want to slam your head into a wall because nobody told you how freaking difficult being a parent was going to be.
I have three children – a beautiful daughter, April, who just turned 26 years old two days ago; a hilarious son, Jonathan, who will be 15 years old in 10 days; and my youngest son, Tre, who turned 11 years old in March.
I cannot imagine life without them. Okay, yes I can. I’d have some huge corporate job, be raking in tons of cash every week, able to afford designer clothing and accessories, be able to jet off to Paris or London whenever I felt like it. Sigh. That would be the life wouldn’t it?
No, it wouldn’t. Remember It’s a Wonderful Life when Clarence comes and shows Jimmy Stewart what life would be like if he’d never been born? That is exactly my point. Sure my life might have taken a different direction if I’d not had children. I could be completely selfish, cater to my own needs and wants, eat at a different restaurant every night of the week, travel, go to Broadway shows when I wanted. I would have excellent credit, a gorgeous home in the country and an apartment in New York City where I could crash whenever I was in town.
Why I’m Thankful
God has a plan for each and every one of us – whether you want to believe in Him or not. His plan for me included these three:
There is no amount of money, fame, or fortune in the world that you could offer me in exchange for these three precious gifts. They have all had their moments when I wanted to pack them up and ship them off to live with their grandparents – but then again, I know for a fact that there are times when they wished they could trade me in for a new mom too.
I am extremely thankful for my three beautiful children. They have been so much more to me over the years than just “my children.” They have been my world for the past 26 years. Everything that I do is with them in mind. Before I make a purchase – of anything – my first thought is, “Do the kids need something?” They are the first thoughts that cross my mind in the morning and the last as I drift off to sleep every evening.
Each day of our lives we make deposits in the memory banks of our children. ~ Charles (Chuck) Swindoll
I want them to remember, if nothing else from our time together, that they meant the world to me. That I was blessed to be their mother, honored to be a part of their lives, and thankful each and every day for these four words – I love you, Mom.
I love you too.
