When a Baby Is Born

I'd rather be mother than anyone on earth
Bringing up a child or two of unpretentious birth...
I'd rather tuck a little child all safe and sound in bed
Than twine a chain of diamonds about my [carefree] head.
I'd rather wash a smudgy face with round, bright, baby eyes
Than paint a pageantry of fame or walk among the wise.
-Meredith Gray, from The Beauty of Motherhood

Two ladies in my life have just had or are having babies right now as I write this. The night before one of my best friends went in to have her baby I called to wish her good luck and hoped that everything would go well. As I said goodbye I felt this overwhelming surge of emotion for the experience she was going through and what was to come. Kate asked me why I was crying and couldn't really answer her. I felt so happy that she was going to meet her sweet baby boy in only a few hours and hold him in her arms. I felt awe at the fact that he had been waiting countless years to get to this point in his journey and that this life is something that we all wanted so badly that we cheered when we found out we would get to come to earth and obtain a body. It is such a sacred thing to have life, give life, and help life along in our own journey of life. And I was happy because she is like my sister and her joy was mine that night. Right now my other sister Jayanne is in the hospital having her baby boy-his name is Calvin...probably. I talked to her this morning as she was waiting to get into her room and we were talking about what a big day this is for him and how exciting it was. Chris would always remind when I was pregnant, and feeling overwhelmed and wondering why being pregnant had to be so hard, that you only have a baby a few times in your life. Being a mom is the hardest job you will ever have but will also bring the greatest blessings we can ever obtain in this life. I am grateful to be a mother here on earth and in the life to come.

Our Stake Relief Society President shared a thought with us at a meeting before the RS broadcast. She said that when Adam named Eve he called her that because he said, "she was the mother of all living". This was before Eve had ever bore a child or cared for one on earth, so whether you have given birth or not we are all mothers in different stages of our journey. I try to remember that this isn't just a job I have right now but an eternal part of my identity.

What, might you ask, happens when mom falls asleep on the couch and Dad is in charge?......

This! Same corner on the ottoman....twice.

And to end...

"She who can paint a masterpiece or write a book that will influence millions deserve the admiration and the plaudits of mankind; but she who rears successfully a family of healthy, beautiful sons and daughters, whose influence will be felt through generations to come,... long after paintings shall have faded, books and statues shall have decayed or shall have been destroyed, deserves the highest honor than man can give, and the choicest blessings of God. In her high duty and service to humanity..., she is co-partner with the Creator himself."
-President David O. McKay