The Flame Within

Feisty little red-head boy…

His birth completely changed our worlds.

We were young… Supposedly adults.

This child forced us to second guess our maturity.

Long nights… With little or no sleep.

Tantrums… Made me question my own sanity.

Kind hearted women…

Said, “Cherish these days… They’ll be gone before you know it!”

All the while, I’m thinking, “Cherish…?”

With each additional child…

Came sibling quarrels…

Ganging up on the parents syndrome.

Unique new parental challenges.

Despite the difficulties parenting threw in our direction.

Despite the long nights in the hospital… Praying and worrying over my children.

Despite the breaking up of fights.

Despite the constant worrying over their well-being.

I heeded these wise women’s words.

I cherished the good times.

I held my babies tighter.

Made mental notes of child-like humor.

I observed beautiful moments of sibling bonding.

Took simple everyday moments… And taught my children about God’s love.

I held their hands.

Laid in their beds and rubbed their tiny backs.

Cupped their chubby cheeks in my hands…

Looked into their eyes and informed them of my love.

You know… Those women were right!

I couldn’t love enough…

Hold tight enough…

Cherish enough…

The harder I tried.

The faster they grew.

I’m now an older… wiser… more experienced mother.

My advice…

“Cherish these days… They’ll be gone before you know it!”