Aaron was a few days old and I was still waiting for someone to pinch me and say that he was only a dream. I remember holding him against my body and feeling his breath in the creases of my neck as he dozed. I couldn’t stop looking at him. I couldn’t stop holding him. It was one of many, many moments when I was completely overcome with emotion and gratitude, but this particular bout wasn’t about me finally becoming a mom, or about Aaron’s arrival in the world, it was a sudden connection to my own mom.

As I held Aaron I realized that once upon a time I was the infant content to sleep in my mother’s arms. I was the infant who brought a new set of dreams and a new purpose. I was the infant someone lost sleep for, worried about, painstakingly cared for and absolutely adored. I all of a sudden realized, ”This is how much my mom loves me.” 

My mom was barely 16 when she became my mom. She could have made other choices. She could have had a different life, but she chose me. I don’t know if I’d have been brave enough to do the same. I don’t think I would have been selfless enough at 16 to choose my child over myself, but she was. Thank you. 

Happy Mother’s Day