Mothers, You are Awesome!

This might seem random to you, and I may go overboard with this one. It's been a wee bit of an emotional day, so bear with me.

This has been thought about for the last 4 years. As I finished up my first year of college, I realized that there were many new moms from my high school (okay maybe just 3 or so) and it got me thinking. When these rumors (which were true) were revealed to me, I can't lie, I was a little shocked, but I also felt bad for them. I felt bad that they had to commit so young to such a big thing. But I also had another feeling that I am not proud of one bit: superiority. I felt like I was better than those girls. I felt that I was better because I was going to college (failing my first year, mind you) and I had my life on track.

What a B-word I was. In all honesty, I didn't have one thing figured out. I doubted even going back to school. I see these women now and I look up to them. Their boyfriends, baby-daddys, or husbands are either there for them or they are not. It doesn't matter because they chose the miracle. They chose life. They chose to take the hard path. The path that, no doubt, had people looking back at them and shaking their heads because of judgements made. The path that, even though it's the biggest reward and accomplishment to be a mother and caregiver, is mentally, physically, and emotionally draining for the rest of their lives. Some give their child up for adoption because they feel that they cannot provide for them, but they don't stop caring. You don't stop worrying about your baby after they are 18 and out of the house; you don't stop praying that they make the right and amiable decisions in life, and you most certainly don't stop loving them. Some of these women made these decisions when they were 16 years old, some when they were 18 or 19, but they chose life.

In the world today, how open are people to new life? Oh, of course everyone (and I mean EVERYONE) will say, "Duh, I'm open to new life; It's beautiful, cute, and just so amazing!!" Yeah, but now ask them if they would have kids. I feel like it's either "1 or 2 kids at most" or "I don't want kids." I do get some, "I want a whole baseball team!!", but that's rare nowadays.

Honestly, when people see pregnant women, they have to do a double take, right? When you see an obese or overweight person walking by, do you have to get a second look? It depends on how big they are, BUT NO!

Why are pregnant women so rare now? Maybe it's just me, but when you see a woman with more than 4 kids at a grocery store and who is also expecting, what's the first thought in your head? "Poor woman."  But why would you think that? Yeah, it's hard work. Yeah, she must be completely and totally exhausted. And yes, I won't deny that I've had that thought. But there's another reason why people have that thought. They automatically assume that that woman is crazy! Poor woman is crazy enough to have another kid. I mean, seriously. Who has more than 3 kids?!! Who does that?!

I would.

I've thought about this for the last 4 years. I've always wanted a big family. I WILL always want a big family. As this dream gets closer and closer, I cannot help but be worried. Marriage at my age was bad enough for some people. What about a baby? What about 7 babies?

My sister, Nutmeg, and I were talking one time. She is the mom of 6 and in the last 2 years had a beautiful baby boy. She had some pretty funny (I thought at the time) stories about how some people approached her in her pregnancy and said the stupidest things like, "Oh my God, and you have 5 more at home?!!!! That's crazy!!", or gave her disapproving looks when she had all of the kids with her. One stranger, and I was there for this one, even rubbed her belly for what seemed like 5 awkward seconds before my sis gave her a "Yeah, I don't like that, you can stop now" look.

That last story wasn't about a disapproving person, but just downright weird. That's still a woman's belly and it's still not okay to touch unless asked... am I right?! I understand showing your support and getting all giddy about it, but please, please ask before you go touching someone you've never met and probably won't ever see again. It's just weird. .....Annnnd I digress.

Anyways, this was such a random post, but a topic that's been in my head for a long long time. To the women (my age, older, and younger) that are expecting, have given birth, or are contemplating a choice about the miracle in your womb: you are all extremely lucky to be given, by God, such a gift as child bearing. It's a joy seeing pictures and posts of you and your little ones and their funny-isms. I know it's hard sometimes and please know that you are in my prayers daily. You are all superior and so so beautiful. And lastly, don't even give those people with the judgmental eyes, the mean stares, and the stupid words another thought. You are raising a child that may one day find a cure for the mental disease those people suffer from. Yeah, that's right! You could be raising a child that will one day save the nieces and/or nephews of those mean-staring people or the mean-staring people themselves. Be proud(...be humble, but be proud!). You are amazing :)