Before you, I never understood

the mysteries of motherhood,

until I became a mom…

You were a part of me…

a gift from God, 

a small, helpless miracle,

precious in every way…

my heart overflowed with love.

Before you, I never understood

the exquisite joy that comes from

seeing the world through my baby’s eyes.

hearing your first giggle…

being splashed by little feet at bath time,

and the shared peace that washed over us,

as I stroked your tiny hand

while rocking you to sleep.

Before you, I never understood

how easily a mother’s heart could break,

until I watched you struggle

with problems I couldn’t fix…

witnessing your heartaches,

feeling impotent frustration

at my inability to do more

than wipe away your tears.

And before you, I never understood

a mother’s profound excitement at

watching her daughter leave

for her first prom,

until you left to go to yours.

Or the joy of seeing you graduate

with hard-earned honors…

I never knew I could be so proud.

Before you, I never understood

what having a child would mean to me.

how you would complete me…

how being your mother would help me

become a better person…

the blessings I would have never known,

how empty my life would have been,

if you’d not been a part of my world...

You’ll never understand

the mysteries of motherhood…

all that you are to me…

until you hold a part of yourself…

a gift from God,

a small, helpless miracle…

precious in every way…

your heart overflowing with love.

Then, you will know.

Michelle Close Mills ©