Before I Was A Mom

Before I was a Mom:
I slept as late as I wanted and never worried about how late I got into bed. I brushed my hair and my teeth everyday.

Before I was a Mom:
I cleaned my house each day. I never tripped over toys or forgot words to a lullaby. I didn't worry whether or not my plants were poisonous. I never thought about immunizations.

Before I was a Mom:
I had never been puked on - Pooped on - Spit on - Chewed on, or Peed on. I had complete control of my mind and My thoughts. I slept all night.

Before I was a Mom:
I never held down a screaming child so that doctors could do tests...or give shots. I never looked into teary eyes and cried. I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin. I never sat up late hours at night watching a baby sleep.

Before I was a Mom:
I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn't want to put it down. I never felt my heart break into a million pieces when I couldn't stop the hurt. I never knew that something so small could affect my life
so much. I never knew that I could love someone so much. I never knew I would love being a Mom.

Before I was a Mom:
I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body. I didn't know how special it could feel to feed a hungry baby. I didn't know that bond between a mother and her child. I didn't know that something so small could make me feel so important.

Before I was a Mom:
I had never gotten up in the middle of the night every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay. I had never known The warmth, The joy, The love, The heartache, The wonderment or the satisfaction of being a Mom. I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much before I was a Mom.

Author Unknown

I'm Okay

The house is a mess, the dishes are dirty.
I'm too old for this stuff, I'm well over thirty!
The car is not clean, my hair is a wreck,
And I've already spent next Friday's paycheck.

The laundry needs washing, the kids are too rowdy,
And I never have time for a leisurely "Howdy."
With all that I do, it's never enough,
It's never quite finished, it always looks rough.

I looked in my mirror and what did I see?
A harried old stranger, where I used to be.
The hurrier I go, the behinder I get.
Today is tomorrow, and I'm not caught up yet.

My kids are growing at such a fast pace,
That I'm missing their childhood for the sake of this race.
I work and I clean and I cook, and I say
"Hit the books, clean your room!" there's no time for play.

Well, the Lord, for some reason, chose ME with the care
Of three of His children, but I'm rarely there!
I've GOT to slow down lest there's nothing to show
For my role as their Mom when they pack up and go!

I'm only one person, but look through my door,
What appears to be one, divides into more!
I'm a chauffeur, a cook, a planter of trees,
A teacher, an umpire, a mender of knees.

Sometimes, I forget that deep down inside,
There's a lady with feelings, and last night, she cried.
She gets tired and lonely, feels taken for granted
She wants to see blooms from the seeds that she's planted.

Then, amidst all the turmoil in this mind-bending pace,
My little ones look at me square in the face...
And just when I need it, they in unison say,
"Momma, I love you" and then... I'm OKAY!

Author Unknown

My Mother's Garden

My mother kept a garden,
a garden of the heart,
she planted all the good things
that gave my life its start.

She turned me to the sunshine
and encouraged me to dream,
fostering and nurturing
the seeds of self-esteem . . .

And when the winds and rain came,
she protected me enough,
but not too much because she knew
I'd need to stand up strong and tough.

Her constant good example
always taught me right from wrong--
markers for my pathway
that will last a lifetime long.

I am my Mother's garden.
I am her legacy-
and I hope today she feels the love
reflected back from me.

Author Unknown

Somebody's Mother

The woman was old and ragged and gray
And bent with the chill of the winter's day.
The street was wet with the recent snow,
And the woman's feet were aged and slow.

She stood at the crossing and waited long,
Alone, uncared for, amid the throng
Of human beings who passed her by,
None heeded the glance of her anxious eye.

Down the street with laughter and shout,
Glad in the freedom of "school let out,"
Came the boys like a flock of sheep,
Hailing the snow piled white and deep.

Past the woman so old and gray
Hastened the children on their way,
None offered a helping hand to her,
So meek, so timid, afraid to stir.

At last came one of the merry troop,
The happiest boy of all the group;
He paused beside her and whispered low,
"I'll help you across if you wish to go."

Her aged hand on his strong young arm
She place, and so, without hurt or harm,
He guided her trembling feet along,
Proud that his own were firm and strong.

Then back again to his friends he went,
His young heart happy and well content.
"She's somebody's mother, boys, you know,
For all she's aged and poor and slow;

"And I hope some one will lend a hand
To help my mother, you understand,
If ever she's poor and old and gray,
When her own dear boy is far away."

And "somebody's mother" bowed low her head
In her home that night, and the prayer she said
Was, "God be kind to the noble boy
Who is somebody's son and pride and joy."

Author unknown

Woman

A woman's touch can cure any ailment.
They know that a hug and a kiss can heal a broken heart.
She can make a romantic evening unforgettable.
She can bring out the best in her husband, children and friends.
They don't mind standing in the shadows.
They are not there to push, but to gently encourage.
They are cheerleaders, teachers, loves and important in many peoples daily lives.
They can whisper a kind word, scream a loud cheer and laugh away a fear.
They can mend your broken spirit and give you back your self-esteem.
They can knit a family back together after a break or a loss.
Women come in all sizes, in all colors and shapes.
They live in homes, apartments, cabins and trailers.
They drive, fly, walk, run or e-mail you to show how much they care about you.
They have hearts that forgive and forget an injustice.
They have hearts that remember a kindness.
They have hearts that beat with loyalty and love.
The heart of a woman is what makes the world spin.
They can cry and laugh at the same time.
They can be sad and hopeful at the same time.

Women do more than just give birth.
They bring joy and hope.
They teach us to dream and make goals.
They give compassion and ideals
They climb into a persons life and make everything better again.
They give moral support to their family and friends.
And all they want back is a hug, a smile and for you to do the same to people you come in contact with.

Women are leaders, but don't want followers.
They want people to grow into the best person they can be.
They want to touch you in a way that will make you share your goodness with others.
One touch can turn a bad day into a better one.
One extra minute of her time will make a child feel special.
One more kiss will make her husband feel loved.

Author Unknown