What IS a Mom?
I was thinking about how to describe today. I opened up my email and saw I had a facebook message from my friend Kelli. She wanted to let me know about a quote she heard today and she thought of us:
Carrying a baby obviously makes you a mom, but I also agree with the statement above. If we weren’t given this opportunity and we chose to adopt, I would still consider myself a mom. I think a mom is someone who unconditionally loves a child. I say A child because I think someone can be a “mom” to someone whether they gave birth to them or not. I think of those kids out there that are fostered or just watched over in absence of their birth mom – I think they often call that other person “mom.” I will say that no one could ever replace the role my mom has in my life – I have been incredibly blessed to have an INCREDIBLE mom. For me though, knowing that I will not give birth to a child, does not diminish the fact that Lord willing, I will be a mom someday. If it is God’s will, we may have a child put in our arms – our own child. The moment that child is in my arms, I will love that child unconditionally. The moment that child is conceived, I will love that child. The moment someone is in my life, I will try to love that person unconditionally. Not that I am our youth group kids’ mom, but when they are in our house or we are watching over them, I try to love them unconditionally. A mom I feel is a mentality. It is a selfless love given to a child. Dan and I pray that God will one day give us the privilege and blessing of loving on our own child. If this process doesn’t work, we know God has a better plan for our life. We do know God is preparing us to love a child – whatever avenue that may be – whether it’s to just continue loving our youth group kids or to have our own child someday, that is up to God.
So, Carrying your baby doesn’t make you a mom – it is what happens when they put your child in your arms.
I would love to hear what you think a mom is – what are some qualities or thoughts that come to mind when you think of the word “mom?” Even if it has to do with pregnancy, have no fear, I will not be offended. Please let me know what it means to you, to be a mom (even if you aren’t one yet)! Send me an email, comment below, whatever. What “happens” in your mind when they put A child in your arms?
Today I am thankful for all the “moms” out there. I know there are people out there who desire to be “birth” moms – but I believe there are people in our lives that we can all be “moms” to. Who can you love unconditionally and selflessly today?
Thank you Kelli, for that quote today! As you can see, it triggered just a few thoughts, to say the least!
You are so right! Just because you carry a baby inside of you does not mean you're a mom. It makes you a mother. But I believe it takes a special person to be a mom. A person who loves unconditionally, who puts herself last after her child, who stays up late when her child is a baby trying to get him/her to sleep and again when her child is a teenage waiting for him/her to come home so she can go to sleep! A mom holds her child, no matter their age, close to her and tells him it's okay, everything is going to work out. A mom holds her young child's hand and knows when to let go. Being a mom has nothing to do with what goes on inside of her uterus. It has to do with what goes on inside of her heart. And it doesn't matter where that child comes from, as soon as you lay eyes on him/her it will be as if nothing else in the world matters because you are so full of love for that tiny little thing.