When I look at my son
I think of you , Mother
Of all the times you held me in your arms
And felt the love I feel today
The day my son was born
You were right next to me
Pushing me through the exhaustion
Cheering me on to hang in there
I thought you’d enjoy being there
When your baby was having her baby
But I enjoyed it more
Having my mother near when I was scared
On nights that I’m up with a crying baby
I can barely keep my eyes open
I think of you and the nights you did this for me
And I don’t feel so alone anymore
When I calm Jacob down from a fit
I know my compassion and patience came from you
And when I help him fall asleep in my arms
I learned how to lightly brush the top of his nose to make him sleepy from you
Now that I’m a mother
I can whole-heartedly understand all your sacrifices
I know you’ve done so much for me
But sleepless nights and exhausting days go thankless
When I look at my sleeping baby
I know you gazed at me with the same awe
It’s funny how babies can simplify life
And make you love your own parents so much more
So although it’s taken me 30 years to be grateful:
Thank you for all your sleepless nights
For the pain and exhaustion you felt all those years ago
And for nurturing me so well, that I can nurture my son today
I love you, Mother
© Copyright – All rights reserved – Cristina Cole
that was beautiful cristina. I’m sure I will feel the same way when I have a baby but will not be able to express it to my parents in person. they will know though. 🙂
Thanks Karen! And they’ll be there with you. When I was scared at points, I would feel my Grandma around 😉 Maybe it was my mind playing tricks on me, but I felt her there and would calm right down.