Letter to Mama – From Mama

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Dear Mama,

Stop what you are doing right now! Stop all of the thousands of thoughts that are running through your head this minute. Silence your inner-voice, the one that is constantly reminding you of all the things you haven’t done or that need to be done. You deserve a moment’s of silence, just some peace and quiet. Although you are not normally one for hugging, wrap your arms around yourself and give a big hug – you deserve it.

This past month has been a rainbow of emotions – from the brightest and happiest yellow to a dark somber purple, and everything in between. You are on a daily roller coaster ride of emotions, but I think you forget to take a break, slow down and give yourself credit. Stop running, don’t jump from activity to activity, checking things off your ever-expanding to do list. You will never get everything done – nor does anyone expect that of you.

Almost four weeks ago you delivered a beautiful baby boy. You love him more and more for each passing day. You are watching him grow right before your very eyes. The outfit he wore Monday doesn’t even fit him today. You are giving him milk, precious mama’s milk from your body – and it is all he needs to grow big and strong. You are all he needs.

Your heart has expanded the past four weeks – to fit not only your new baby – but all of your boys, the big one and now four smaller ones. There is so much love in the house – given and received. Love is the currency within your home and the language spoken fluently by all. Your family is enough – it is all any of you need.

You are protective of your children – wrapping your arms around your family in an attempt to shield them from all things evil and from every little germ. But even you have not been able to ward off the coughs, snot, upset stomachs and congestion. It doesn’t mean that you failed, it doesn’t mean that your love was insufficient – it just means that germs are everywhere and we can only do our best. It is not your fault that everyone in the house have been sick at least once since the baby was born. It is not a reflection on you or your Mama Bear skills.

So stop the internal monologue, shake off the negative thoughts, put on your big-girl panties (NOT the big maternity ones – we will burn those later) and instead of feeling bad… feel good – no – feel GREAT that you have nursed your family back to health – or you are at least in the process of it. Pat yourself on the shoulder, all the kids went to school with their respective Valentine’s Day cards and cheese sticks. Every single day you remember to drop the right kid off at the right school, and if they are lucky they even get a ride home after school. All the boys wore something red and festive today for Valentine’s Day – except for the one who will only wear PJs – but at least he was dressed.

So on this Valentine’s Day – how about being your own Valentine?! Why not love yourself and all your achievements. Forget the to-do list, brush aside the things you haven’t done (and won’t get done for a long time), screw the boxes you wanted to pack for your upcoming move… Everything will get done in due time. You may have to solicit help. You may need to ask a friend to lend a hand. Your supportive husband might have to give you an extra hug – but he won’t mind, trust me.

Happy Valentine’s Day, mama! Hug your boys, be happy with all the things you did today – all of them (changing 7 diapers, being pooped on twice and doing three loads of laundry (so far) certainly counts)! The things that did not get done must not have been as important as kissing three boo-boos, reading 14 preschool Valentine’s day cards, watching “Monsters University” three times and walking to the mail box twice.

Oops! Make that 8 diapers and being peed on once! – Gotta go, but you get the point!

LIVE IN THE NOW!