Letter#1 To my Sister in Arms...

Motherhood. Many of us arrived here. Maybe not the same journey. Some took a nice country road on a Sunday drive. Others braved a churning sea barely keeping upright in rough waters. Maybe some barely dipped their toes in the water and found themselves in the deep end. However our journey started, we all found our way here. One last deep breathe, one final moment of quiet, and suddenly a cry of life filled the air. Congratulations! A mother was born.

Society's focus is by far on the baby. Everyone always asks about the child. What did they weigh? Boy or girl? Mom's mouth? Dad's toes? Breast is best? But what about Mom? So much of who we are as a person goes directly into our children yet we forget about ourselves. Everday I read mothers lamenting their loss of self because of motherhood. Most mothers see a piece of themselves in that mirror and tend to agree. I find many women choosing humor in the fact that the old grey mare isn't what she used to be, but I can't help but feel a little frantic over the fact that women feel such a loss in what is supposed to be one of the best things that ever happened to us. This letter is for you.

Dear Sister,

I see you beautiful ,Lady. Whether your hair is the shade of summer from this chapter in your life, or be it a shade of winter during this season of your story. I see you. I see your smile so luminous and breathtaking that someone in this world couldn't stop from falling in love with you. I see your eyes that are so wise from lessons that only you were meant to learn. I see the trail made from pieces of your soul so that those you love can always find their way back to you. I've counted your tears,Love. I know how much it hurt, and how you wanted to give up yet never did. I see how strong your shoulders are. I see strength. I've seen your head bowed in prayer. I've seen your eyes on fire in anger. I've seen your heart broken in two over and over. I see how you mended that heart to keep beating for those who need to lay their heads upon your breast for comfort. I see courage,and braveness and tenacity that you never knew you had. I see the woman you were. I see the woman you wanted to be. I see the woman you are. I see what this world has made you, and what you have made of this world. Most of all I want you to see what I see. A work of art. Every out of place hair, every wrinkle, every laugh line, every pound was a beautiful color added to your canvas. And what did God name this work of art? Motherhood.

Love, Your Sister