Remembering Why Being A Mama is God's Greatest Blessing

I Get to be the One

I lay sick and weak for nearly a year as God created you in my womb, but I got to be the one to provide you nourishment through love and belly rubs

I wept with fear that I would never know you when blood flowed from my body, but I got to be the one to marvel at the pulsing sound of your tiny beating heart

I felt my organs shift and my ribs received your powerful punches, but I got to be the one to feel your perfect life growing inside me

I was frightened days after your arrival when told that without life-saving medicine I would meet our Savior due to birthing complications, but I got to be the one to bring you into our world

I ached as my body learned to feed you, but I got to be the one to soothe, calm, and fill you. 

I yearned for silence in early morning's light as nothing calmed your cries, but I got to be the one to hear the world filled with your newfound coos and giggles

I anxiously prayed in the waiting room while your tiny body endured anesthesia and scope, but I got to be the one to wake and cuddle you in your gown

I begged for sleep to descend upon you while you whined and rubbed your eyes, but I got to be the one to watch your eyelashes flutter and fade to dreams, your weight falling full on my chest

I sighed at the ending of my too-short slumber as your cries beckoned my breast, but I got to be the one whose heart swelled at your sweet morning grin

I bent over to clean up your sporadic piles of toys once again, but I got to be the one to watch your imagination flourish as you created chaos

I mustered up the strength to teach you the same skill on seemingly endless repeat, but I got to be the one to celebrate each accomplishment with cheers and claps of sheer, overwhelming pride

I hoped you would bore of riding the "choo choo train" by the hundredth trip as I carried you around the room on my back, but on the one hundred and first time I got to be the one to hear your squeals of glee

I remembered the ease of leaving the house with just myself in mind, but I got to be the one to love you everywhere I went

I cried in longing and weariness as I raised you alone while your father fought far away for our freedom, but I got to be the one to teach you about the man who will always love you most in this world

I memorized Tickle Monster on your request to read it "gain" and "gain" and "gain," but I got to be the one to cultivate your love of books

I watched you spiral out of control in anger and impatience, but I got to be the one to calm your short, laden gasps, enveloping you in my arms and kissing your tear-streaked cheeks

I prayed for patience, perseverance and peace as you pushed me with that beautiful strong will, but through every tumultuous, glorious, God-intended moment, I get to be the one you call Mama. 

Here is the full poem...

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I Get To Be The One

I lay sick and weak for nearly a year as God created you in my womb, but I got to be the one to provide you nourishment through love and belly rubs

I wept with fear that I would never know you when blood flowed from my body, but I got to be the one to marvel at the pulsing sound of your tiny beating heart

I felt my organs shift and my ribs received your powerful punches, but I got to be the one to feel your perfect life growing inside me

I was frightened days after your arrival when told that without life-saving medicine I would meet our Savior due to birthing complications, but I got to be the one to bring you into our world

I ached as my body learned to feed you, but I got to be the one to soothe, calm, and fill you.

I yearned for silence in early morning's light as nothing calmed your cries, but I got to be the one to hear the world filled with your newfound coos and giggles

I anxiously prayed in the waiting room while your tiny body endured anesthesia and scope, but I got to be the one to wake and cuddle you in your gown

I begged for sleep to descend upon you while you whined and rubbed your eyes, but I got to be the one to watch your eyelashes flutter and fade to dreams, your weight falling full on my chest

I sighed at the ending of my too-short slumber as your cries beckoned my breast, but I got to be the one whose heart swelled at your sweet morning grin

I bent over to clean up your sporadic piles of toys once again, but I got to be the one to watch your imagination flourish as you created chaos

I mustered up the strength to teach you the same skill on seemingly endless repeat, but I got to be the one to celebrate each accomplishment with cheers and claps of sheer, overwhelming pride

I hoped you would bore of riding the "choo choo train" by the hundredth trip as I carried you around the room on my back, but on the one hundred and first time I got to be the one to hear your squeals of glee

I remembered the ease of leaving the house with just myself in mind, but I got to be the one to love you everywhere I went

I cried in longing and weariness as I raised you alone while your father fought far away for our freedom, but I got to be the one to teach you about the man who will always love you most in this world

I memorized Tickle Monster on your request to read it "gain" and "gain" and "gain," but I got to be the one to cultivate your love of books

I watched you spiral out of control in anger and impatience, but I got to be the one to calm your short, laden gasps, enveloping you in my arms and kissing your tear-streaked cheeks

I prayed for patience, perseverance and peace as you pushed me with that beautiful strong will, but through every tumultuous, glorious, God-intended moment, I get to be the one you call Mama