Mothers: Do you remember?

My submission for the Mother Letter project:

Dear Mother,

Do you remember the first time you breathed in that sweet baby breath? Do you remember how your back ached because you forgot to settle comfortably in the chair before you fed your little one and you wouldn’t move because your comfort had become a secondary consideration? Do you remember the first time you slept 5 hours straight — and the panic you felt as you rushed to check on your little one?

Do you remember the first time you felt your heart contract with love for your child? I do. My Tyler was 2 months old, and he’d just woken up from a nap. He smiled his first “real” smile at me, for me. And I fell ever so much deeper in love.

Do you remember the first time you heard “Mama”? I was “Babu” for a few weeks, but it sounded just as sweet!

Do you remember the first time you heard “I love you”? My Tyler is 2 years old, and he said “Wub Mama” for the first time yesterday. Of course, he also “wubs” his trains! And he "ugs" (hugs) the trains before he "ugs" me! But that is okay, as long as he keeps asking me to "ug" him.

Aren’t they wonderful, delightful creatures? May our hearts always contract with love at their smiles. May we always delight in their hugs and kisses. May our love — and theirs — continue to grow.

It is so amazing to realize that as much as we love these young children, we barely know the people they will become. Think of all the memories we have to look forward to!

Blessings,
Jaime