Seven years ago today I became a Mom.
Although my journey to motherhood was not one I ever would have chosen, I can truly say I am grateful things turned out just the way they did.
It wasn’t always that way.
Being grateful is so hard to fathom when you’re going through a challenge.
It’s often only afterwards, when we look back and reflect on our experiences, that we realize how much our struggle helped pave the way for us to become what we needed to; much like a caterpillar struggles to emerge from a chrysalis as a beautiful, elegant, divinely perfect butterfly.
That’s not something you can ever help it do. In fact, if you were to help, the butterfly would die. The struggle IS the path. The path to growth and completion.
So while I’m not a big fan of struggling forever, I believe our struggles are what shape us and give our lives meaning.
Had I not struggled to become a Mom, I would not be the Mom I am today. I would not have the son I have today. I would not have the grace, humility and appreciation I have today.
So for today, I am going to bathe in gratitude, in celebration of my son, Milo.
Today, Milo, I am grateful for:
The sweet way you smile at me first thing in the morning. I am so lucky you are the first thing I see when I wake up.
The way you love to snuggle and be snuggled.
Your clever sense of humor.
The way the music you create on your piano makes my heart dance. It seems to flow out of you with perfect ease and joy. It surely lives inside you.
The creative way you invent and play games.
Your lightening speed when we ride bikes together. You are keeping me in shape.
The deep and special connection we have between us. It’s almost like you know what I’m thinking sometimes.
Your short temper, as it reminds me to be gentle with you.
You’re stubbornness. It reminds me you are your own person.
Your questions. May you always ask questions.
Your love of reading. It is a gift and a joy to share with you.
Your warrior personality and love of victory. May you always triumph.
Your ability to make friends. May you always be surrounded by people who love you.
Your ability to make people laugh. That is a gift to be cherished.
The amazing structures you build in our living room.
The way you just interrupted me to give me “one thousand, million kisses.”
The way you make me feel grateful, every single day, that I GET to be your Mom.
Thank you, Milo, one thousand, million times.
And thank YOU for reading.
I realize not all struggles have a happy ending. But I do believe gratitude can play a role in how we handle life’s big challenges. If we can find something in our experience to be grateful for, however tiny it may seem, it can make all the difference.
