a l i v e & a w a k e

I know it's not even close to Mother's Day, but since my beautiful wife if expecting again, I have found myself admiring her even more.

What a high calling it is to be a mother. These are the ones in society who help to define for us things like unconditional love, patience, kindness and self-sacrifice. Moms are the ones who pull the all-nighters with sleepless, crying babies, and then run constantly to keep things in order during the day. They usually carry most of the weight of nurturing and caring for the family. They are absolutely amazing.

But even more amzing is that they actually "trade" in their pre-baby body and, for a season of about 9 months, take on an "entirely different" one. This new body isn't usually kind nor flattering (although some peope thing pregnant woman are hot - like I think of Janie!). There is raging hormones, mood swings, morning sickness, afternoon sickness, dizzy spells, constant fatigue (they say it's like climbing a mountain every day), bloating, swelling, carpal tunnel, clothes that no longer fit, stretch marks, low back pain and finally after all that, there's the wonderful process of pushing that baby out! Life isn't so kind as to "exempt" them from daily challenges and busyness. They have to carry on like everyone else. It's a miracle a woman has more than one!

As I watch Janie goes through the process again, I am in awe of how she has accepted and is thriving in her role as mother (and mother-to-be). I am grateful for her patient endurance and am excited to be a partner in the journey. Take some time today to express your admiration and appreciation of the mothers in your life.

Jon