Before I Was a Mom

So I came across this the other day and those ... "This is me! Exactly me!" In a way, I feel as if life started for me after my son was born. Not that my life wasn't great before. It's just now I somehow feel more awakened to what life is really about.  To be honest, the first year of his life was probably the worst year of my life.  There are lots of details there that are for a later date ... but all that to say, is that the past 6 mths or so have really given me a boost to life.  Motherhood - all hats, emotions and responsibilities at anytime!  Something that can bring the best and the worst in someone.  My pray is that the best is brought out in me over the next years of this little mans life!  Enjoy this poem.

Before I was a Mom
I never tripped over toys or forgot words to a lullaby.
I didn't worry whether or not my plants were poisonous.
I never thought about immunizations.

Before I was a Mom -
I had never been puked on.
Pooped on.
Chewed on.
Peed on.
I had complete control of my mind and my thoughts.
I slept all night.

Before I was a Mom
I never held down a screaming child so doctors could do tests.
Or give shots.
I never looked into teary eyes and cried.
I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin.
I never sat up late hours at night watching a baby sleep.

Before I was a Mom
I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn't want to put him down.
I never felt my heart break into a million pieces when I couldn't stop the hurt.
I never knew that something so small could affect my life so much.
I never knew that I could love someone so much.
I never knew I would love being a Mom .

Before I was a Mom -
I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body.
I didn't know how special it could feel to feed a hungry baby.
I didn't know that bond between a mother and her child.
I didn't know that something so small could make me feel so important and happy.

Before I was a Mom -
I had never gotten up in the middle of the night every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay.
I had never known the warmth, the joy, the love, the heartache, the wonderment or the satisfaction of being a Mom .

I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much, before I was a Mom .