Glimpses

Last night as I was cleaning up children, I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror. Is it strange I didn't recognize that woman?

Apron from Sassy Aprons

That woman
the one that wipes noses, tears and bums all day long
the one that cries and hurts and screams
the one whose patience is tested more than she ever dreamed possible.
Who is that woman?
The one that prays for strength and
the wisdom on how to be the best Mother to her children
the one that pushes her children to do their best in everything...
who is she?

Whose eyes are those?
The eyes that have seen birth, death, life.
Those eyes that have small beginnings of wrinkles,
the eyes that look through rose colored spectacles,
who see what her children can become...
what she can become.

Whose hands are those?
Those hands that have done so much.
The hands that helped others to understand the world around them
that write her deepest thoughts and feelings
that knead bread
can food
push swings
knit, sew, cook, clean
hold other hands.
Those hands that feel each baby kick
help to bring 4 beautiful souls into the world.

What about that body?
Yes, that body,
saggy, flabby, tired, worn...
strong, powerful, nourishing, amazing.
Whose body is that?
That body that has grown, birthed and nourished 4 beautiful babies.
That body that is so loved by a wonderful man.
That body that walks a sweet boy to and from school
gives hugs
is a soft place to land
that gives the perfect snuggles
that sleeps curled up to the babies...

Whose heart is that?
The one that is so prominently worn on her sleeve?
The one that carries dreams from a different life
the one that has a hole in it etched with a name
the heart that breaks and mends and grows daily
the heart that has multiplied with each child born?

As I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror, these thoughts went racing through my mind in an instant. Who is that woman?

I am so proud to say, it is me.

For better or worse, it is me and I wouldn't have it any other way.