Breathing In and Out - A Mother's Point of View

Breathing in… and breathing out.

It is what Mother's do. We wake each morning, breathe in, breathe out. We do the breakfast, kids to school, off to work routine; we breathe in and breathe out. The 'I forgot my homework', have to turn around; I'm going to be late for work - breathe in - breathe out.

Some of us are blessed to be stay at home mothers (which is, by the way, a lost art and a most unappreciated profession) and still we breathe in and breathe out.

The beginning of motherhood is filled with glorious wonders. The first cries and the tiny wonders of how much poop one little bitsy baby can produce. There are fevers and first teeth. Rashes and giggles. There is the first time a tiny hand wraps around your finger and the last time "Mommy, can I sit in your lap" is ever spoken.

There are first steps, first words, first haircuts, first friends, first booboos, and first days of school. In the beginning the firsts come so quickly and pass just as quickly. The firsts come less often, further between as they grow, and yet time still seems to get away from you… breathe in… breathe out.

First day of school, after the first one, you only have 12 more to go. Just 12, does not seem like much when you look at it that way. There are first field trips, first dances, first girlfriends/boyfriends, first fights, first wins, first losses, friends that come and those that do not stay long. First time to drive, first prom, graduation.

It flies – breathe in – breathe out. So appreciate your moments Mommies. No WAIT, do not just appreciate them – REALIZE them while they are happening and appreciate them. Do not take for granted that there is another "first" moment to be had. Realize that your child is hanging around the kitchen because they are either hungry, need their Mom, or just want to be in the same room as you. Realize it and appreciate it, be thankful for it, because those moments pass quickly, cannot be recaptured and will soon come to an end.

And all the while you will breathe in and breathe out, but eventually you watch their firsts from a distance. First loves, first homes, first child and then you get to watch them watch their first's first. You have your final firsts (first grandbaby, maybe a first great-grandbaby or even a great great grandbaby if you live right).

Breathe in - breathe out and never - not even for a moment - believe that your next breath is a sure thing. See the moments, realize the moments, capture the moments, but most of all – be thankful for them.