This was an answer to a question I posted on my facebook group about the defination of a mother. I have found so often that all a mother is defined as, is one who gives birth to a child. That bugged me. It's not only that, and it's not even that sometimes. But I loved this definition of motherhood posted by a friend, and I love the idea it brings in.
As mothers we give up things, quite a bit. It seems to me that pregnancy and birth is just the beginning of that journey. We are pretty much forced to give up many things at this time...looks, comfort, our idea of who we are. Of course during labor we give up many of those same things, whether it's natural or not. This is were it starts, this is the beginning of our testing ground or should I say molding ground.
Of course labor and birth don't have to be experienced to start this process. I think of couples I know who can't have children. What kind of molding is going on with them? What kind of tests are they facing of their own that chips off those selfish ideas within us? The same goes for those who are trying to adopt. The fact is, all these things start the process of ridding ourselves of selfish thoughts or desires. I think it is really up to us to utilize these times to become the mothers we can become.
I think most people will tell you that by successfully navagating these waters, they have developed love and knowledge which can then be passed down to our children. Yes, even the pains and difficulties of labor can develop these virtues.
Of course this is just the beginning. We continue throughout motherhood to develop these ideals and pass them on to our children. And hopefully at the end of it all, our love and knowlege will help to define their own love and knowledge in a path that never ends.
*You can find this quote at http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=43960909365&topic=6952
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