Last week’s challenge, Beloved, brought to my mind my husband and children. The photo above shows my youngest playing with his toy colander. He loves cooking. Each morning, he would dutifully take out the skillet, cooking oil, and spatula from their respective storage places and put them in my cooking area. He would help scramble the eggs and sprinkle the cheese much to my consternation and delight.
We consider this child as our middle-age surprise. He was given us when we least expected a child (I was 48 when I gave birth to him) and each day we are thankful for this little gift. He increased the joy in our home exponentially. His older brothers think he is the most awesome person ever and they all dote on him (even when he takes their toys). Whenever I look at him, I can’t help but be thankful for him.
I never dreamed I would have as many children as I have – all five of them. I am in awe that I am a mother. Yet, to this day, there are times when I am not so sure whether I am raising my children right. Some days, I find myself completely inadequate to care for so many children with various needs and various levels of willfulness. Perhaps, God made a mistake? But each night, especially when all the little ones look so angelic in their sleep, and I had some time to recover from a rough mommy day, my heart swells with love. Even when I am driven nuts on a regular basis (just because I am easily driven nuts) by the children, I know that there is nowhere I want to be but with my children as they grow. And it is this thought that led me to this shadorma-
Motherhood
is where love and faith
meet and dance
where standing
at the foot of her child’s cross
brings forth profound joy.
~~~~
P.S. That was a rather roundabout way of connecting the poem to the picture. 🙂 🙂 But it is all true.
MY WALL 
Because you doubt yourself as a mother, in the unique way that you do, I can confirm, with confidence, that you are doing very well as a mother.
Beware the mothers who have blogs telling how great they are.
Good for you.
Thank you for the kind words. 🙂 Much appreciated. Happy week ahead.
I agree with Cindy – to sometimes doubt oneself as a mother is important. A sign that we take our motherhood seriously and always want to do our best. And the gratefulness and love shines through!
Thanks, Leya. Your words are encouraging. 🙂
What a cutie! Nakakatuwa naman anak mo Imelda.
Thanks, Arlene. 🙂 Nakakaaliw nga siya most of the time. 😀
A beautiful post Imelda and I too agree that it is healthy to be open to doubt, to learning and all the love and gratitude this openness brings 💜
Thanks for the kind words, Xenia. 🙂 I will remember when I am in one of those days. Happy week ahead. 🙂
What a lovely post Imelda! It’s always so hard to know if we are doing things right. I can only pray that God fills in those gaps where I fail. In it all, I think the fact that deep down they know that they are loved covers many things. ❤
Honesty is best and helps all mums as we have all struggled. It is the most challenging job but the most rewarding too! Good to see and read this post.