A Mothers Love

For all mothers out there, and for those to be mothers, just a lil story to share with you that embodies the beautiful bond that a mother shares with her child.
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We are sitting at lunch one day when my daughter casually mentions that she and her husband are thinking of "starting a family." "We're taking survey," she says half-joking. "Do you think I should have a baby?"
"It will change your life," I say, carefully keeping my tone neutral.

"I know," she says, "no more sleeping in on weekends, no more spontaneous vacations."

But that is not what I meant at all. I look at my daughter, trying to decide what to tell her.

I want her to know what she will never learn in childbirth classes.
I want to tell her that the physical wounds of child bearing will heal, but becoming a mother will leave her with an emotional wound so raw that she will forever be vulnerable. I consider warning her that she will never again read a newspaper without asking, "What if that had been MY child?"

That every plane crash, every house fire will haunt her, that when she sees pictures of starving children, she will wonder if anything could be worse than watching your child die. I look at her carefully manicured nails and stylish suit and think that no matter how sophisticated she is, becoming a mother will reduce her to the primitive level of a bear protecting her cub.

That an urgent call of "MOM!" will cause her to drop a soufflé or her best crystal without a moments hesitation. I feel that I should warn her that no matter how many years she has invested in her career, she will be professionally derailed by motherhood. She might arrange for childcare, but one day she will be going into an important business meeting and she will think of her baby's sweet smell. She will have to use every ounce of discipline to keep from running home, just to make sure her baby is all right.

I want my daughter to know that every day decisions will no longer be routine. That a five year old boy's desire to go to the men's room rather than the women's at McDonald's will become a major dilemma. That right there, in the midst of clattering trays and screaming children, issues of independence and gender identity will be weighted against the prospect that a child molester may be lurking in that restroom. However decisive she may be at the office, she will second-guess herself constantly as a mother.

Looking at my attractive daughter, I want to assure her that eventually she will shed the pounds of pregnancy, but she will never feel the same about herself. That her life, now so important, will be of less value to her once she has a child. That she would give herself up in a moment to save her offspring, but will also begin to hope for more years, not to accomplish her own dreams, but to watch her child accomplish theirs. I want her to know that a cesarean scar or shiny stretch marks will become badges of honor.

My daughter's relationship with her husband will change, and not in the way she thinks. I wish she could understand how much more you can love a man who is careful to powder the baby or who never hesitates to play with his child. I think she should know that she will fall in love with him again for reasons she would now find very unromantic. I wish my daughter could sense the bond she will feel with women throughout history who have tried to stop war, prejudice and drunk driving. I want to describe to my daughter the exhilaration of seeing your child learn to ride a bike. I want to capture for her the belly laugh of a baby who is touching the soft fur of a dog or cat for the first time. I want her to taste the joy that is so real it actually hurts.

My daughter's quizzical look makes me realize that tears have formed in my eyes. "You'll never regret it," I finally say. Then I reached across the table, squeezed my daughter's hand and offered a silent prayer for her, and for me, and for all the mere mortal women who stumble their way into His most wonderful of callings. Please share this with a Mom that you know or all of your girlfriends who may someday be Moms.

May you always have in your arms the one who is in your heart.

A labour of Love

Dear Friend,

I just had to send a note to tell you how much I love you and care about you. I saw you yesterday as you were walking with your friends. I waited all day hoping you would want to talk with me also. As evening drew near, I gave you a sunset to close your day and a cool breeze to rest you. And I waited. But you never came. It hurt me but I still love you because I am your friend.

I saw you fall asleep last night and I longed to touch your brow. So, I spilled moonlight on your pillow and your face. Again I waited, wanting to rush down so that we could talk. I have so many gifts for you. But you awakened late the next day and rushed off to work. My tears were in the rain.

Today you looked so sad, so all alone. It makes my heart ache because I understand. My friends let me down and hurt me so many times too. But I love you. Oh, if you would only listen to me. I really love you. I try to tell you in the blue sky and in the quiet green grass. I whisper it in the leaves on the trees and breathe it in the colors of the flowers. I shout it to you in the mountain streams and give the birds love songs to sing. I clothe you with warm sunshine and perfume the air with nature’s scents. My love for you is deeper than the oceans and bigger than the biggest want or need in your heart.

If you only knew how much I want to help you. I want you to meet my Father. He wants to help you too. My Father is that way, you know. Just call me, ask me, talk with me. I have so much to share with you. But I won’t hassle you. I’ll wait because I love you.

Your friend,
Jesus

Heat Wave!

Today was a most unusual and extremely tiring day. Started off when I woke up in the middle of the night drenched in sweat and found that the electricity had played truant at 1am. And unfortunately there was no sign of it at all. I spent a sleepless night and found the morning equally hot and humid. There was no sign of the electricity yet.

I iron my clothes in the morning prior to setting out for work. Unfortunately, I had to make do with a suit which was the least crumpled, that too when I had an induction presentation scheduled today! I left early hoping to get into the cool confines of the office. I boarded my regular auto, and barely had the vehicle moved a couple of minutes, when I observed a huge traffic jam ahead of me. Devoid of sleep, and the heat making me dizzy, I hoped that this would clear out especially as I had loads of work to get through. But to my misfortune, the same route that generally took me 15 mins to cover, took me an hour and a half!

By the time I got to office, I was ready to crash, eyes burning, drenched in sweat, I was half in a mind to go back home. But then I had reports to send and had to rush to the other side of town (where our other office is based) for the induction. So off I plodded in the blazing afternoon. Once I was through with the Induction, headed off to the gym. The heat didnt seem to let up coz within minutes of exercising, I had rivulets streaming down my back and face. Just didnt seem to be my day.

Got home and jumped into the bath, only to find that the minute I was out, it was still hot! Either today was a really HOT day or just not my day. Anyway heading off to sleep now, and praying hard that the electricity doesnt play truant again. I'm sure if it does, I will melt and there'll be nothing left of me!

Pharaoh Tutankhamen

National Geographic today aired an excellent documentary on the boy King Tutankhamen. The basic quest undertaken was to identify what had caused the death of the King at such a young age and the authenticity of the curse.

Was so interesting that I spent 2 hours (9pm-11pm) glued to the TV as the drama unfolded. Have read much about the Valley of the kings, and also about the furore that arose when King Tut' s tomb was discovered. Egypt besides Jerusalem is one of the places I long to visit. I hope I manage it in this lifetime :)

Should the documentary be re-telecast, dont miss it.

MEMO FROM GOD

To: YOU

Date: TODAY

From: THE BOSS

Subject: YOURSELF

Reference: LIFE

I am God. Today I will be handling all of your problems. Please remember that I do not need your help.

If life happens to deliver a situation to you that you cannot handle, do not attempt to resolve it. Kindly put it in the SFGTD (something for God to do) box. All situations will be resolved, but in My time, not yours.Once the matter is placed into the box, do not hold onto it by worrying about it. Instead, focus on all the wonderful things that are present in your life now.

If you find yourself stuck in traffic; Don't despair. There are people in this world for whom driving is an unheard of privilege.

Should you have a bad day at work; Think of the man who has been out of work for years.

Should you despair over a relationship gone bad; Think of the person who has never known what it's like to love and be loved in return.

Should you grieve the passing of another weekend; Think of the woman in dire straits, working twelve hours a day, seven days a week to feed her children.

Should your car break down, leaving you miles away from assistance; Think of the paraplegic who would love the opportunity to take that walk.

Should you notice a new gray hair in the mirror; Think of the cancer patient in chemo who wishes she had hair to examine.

Should you find yourself at a loss and pondering what is life all about, asking what is my purpose? Be thankful. There are those who didn't live long enough to get the opportunity.

Should you find yourself the victim of other people's bitterness, ignorance, smallness or insecurities; Remember, things could be worse. You could be one of them!