Love is beautiful and wondrous and powerful, but there are so many different kinds of love. The love you have for your parent, is different from the love you have for your partner, and different still from the love you have for your own child.
I may have had my fair share of fleeting romances, silly teen crushes, moments of thinking 'he's the one', but in all my life, I've never experienced anything more amazing, more uplifting, than the love I have for my kids.
Having children is life-changing, to say the least, and even through all the hard parts, the love you have for the amazing being that you helped create never falters. You don't stop loving them just because you're frustrated. You don't stop loving them just because you're having a bad day. You never stop loving them, because you can't.
I realize this isn't true for all circumstances, some parents give their children up for adoption (although who's to say they stopped loving their child), some parents disown their children (my mother would be one of those, and although she sent back every single picture she had of me, everything I'd ever given her, including pictures of my own adorable babies, and although she hasn't spoken to me in over two years, who's to say she doesn't still have love in her heart? Albeit, a very different kind of love than I have for my kids, but love is still love.) and some parents are absent altogether for one reason or another.
But for most parents, the love you have for your children is unconditional, all-consuming, and empowering, it's the best feeling in the world!
I'm so sorry about your mother.
ReplyDeleteThanks. :) But, with two years having already breezed by, I've definitely gotten used to my life as is, and have learned to accept that people just aren't who you think they are sometimes, even family members.
DeleteLove really is strange with how it works isn't it? I'm so sorry your mom chose to leave your life, but I do think deep down there is still something good that she feels for you. Somehow she's just forgotten.
ReplyDeleteMy hubby was adopted when he was 3 days old. He doesn't know much about his mom, but he always says he is so grateful to her for loving him enough to give him a better chance at life than she could provide. He knows she was 16. By letting her baby go, she gave both of them a chance at a better life. I think that's some of the strongest love possible.
Thank you for your kind words. That's definitely a good way of looking at adoption, and I think that is the case for a lot of people, they just want their baby to have a better life. It would definitely be tough to give up your child, you're right, it requires very strong love to be able to do so.
Deletesorry about your mother
ReplyDeleteThanks :) Over the last few years I've really grown to know who she is, and I'm happy to take those lessons when it comes to raising my kids. I know that them to know without question that they are loved and that no matter what, I would never turn my back on them. Just one of life's lessons. :)
DeleteSo very true! New follower here. I'm stopping by from the "A to Z" challenge and I look forward to visiting again.
ReplyDeleteSylvia
http://www.writinginwonderland.blogspot.com/
Thanks for the follow. :)
DeleteMy husband lived thru a similar circumstance with his mother and adopted Dad.It's just important to keep positive about yourself and I can see by your loving attitude towards your children you're doing just that.
ReplyDeleteI know I'm not alone when it comes to having issues with family members :) I hope your husband is okay with everything that's gone on. Surprisingly, although of course it bothers me, I can honestly say I'm not affected by it any more. :)
DeleteCompletely... My friend just had a baby and now she understands what I meant when I used to tell her that I cannot describe my love for my kids. She will not understand until she has one.
ReplyDeleteHugs!
Valerie Nunez and the Flying Platypi
Loving kids is one thing, they're easy to love. But loving your own kids, is a whole other dimension of love. :)
DeleteI agree that you don't really know and understand true unconditional love until you have children.
ReplyDeleteChildren definitely show us the true meaning of love and life. :)
DeleteHello, Jessica! I don't have children (hubby and I are enjoying it just being the two of us for a long time yet!) but what you've written is what I hear parents say all the time. I think it goes both ways. Children love their parents no matter what. No one can replace your mom and dad, or whoever raised you!
ReplyDeleteHappy A to Z-ing! from Laura Marcella @ Wavy Lines
That's very smart that you and your Hubby are enjoying you time for a while, because once kids come, there seems to be no such thing. :)
DeleteI'm sorry to hear about your mother. I can't imagine how hurt I'd be if it happened to me.
ReplyDeleteThank you. It hurts at first of course, but I've grown to learn that just because someone is a family member, doesn't mean they won't hurt you. It also doesn't mean it's okay to let them hurt you, just because they're family.
DeleteI agree that the love you have for your children is unconditional and all-consuming, at least that has been my experience. I am very sorry however to hear about your mother. Maybe in time things will change.
ReplyDeleteA-Z participant blogging from Elise Fallson
Thanks. :) No one ever knows what the future holds. :)
DeleteYou're right Jessica, the love one has for one's children is so powerful - I would lay my life down for them. But I am sorry to hear about he estrangement between you and your mother. My father and brother did not speak for many years - it was the saddest thing. Eventually they did - but is amazing that these estrangements happen ..
ReplyDeleteIt is amazing that these estrangements happen. It boggles my mind, but if they're taken as one of life's lessons, they're easier to swallow. I hope your father and brother are on speaking terms now.
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